Victoria Rental Deadlock and Door Lock Requirements for Landlords

What Standard 1 Requires

Standard 1 in Schedule 4 of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 requires that every external entry door has a functioning deadlock — specifically a deadlatch with at least one cylinder — or a key-operated lock from the outside and a keyless exit mechanism from the inside.

The keyless-exit requirement is the detail that catches landlords out. A double-cylinder deadlock (key required on both sides) does not comply because it prevents keyless exit from inside the property. In a fire or emergency, occupants must be able to unlock and open external doors without a key.

Which Doors Are Covered

Standard 1 applies to all external entry doors. This includes:

• The front door
• Side and rear doors that provide access from outside the building
• Doors from an attached garage into the dwelling (if the garage has an external entry)

Screen doors and security screen doors are explicitly excluded from the deadlock requirement. The standard applies to the solid door behind the screen.

Exemptions

Three exemptions exist:

1. Door position prevents deadlock installation: Some sliding doors or door configurations physically cannot accommodate a standard deadlock mechanism
2. Outer barrier exists: If the door sits behind a locked security gate, courtyard wall, or building lobby that already restricts external access
3. Heritage exemption: The property must be registered under the Heritage Act 2017 and have an approved exemption from this standard

These exemptions must be documented. An informal claim that "the door won't take a deadlock" doesn't satisfy the standard — you need a locksmith's assessment or a heritage listing reference.

Locks During the Tenancy

Section 68 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 governs locks during the tenancy. The landlord must maintain all locks in working order. If a lock fails or a tenant reports a broken deadlock, it qualifies as an urgent repair under Section 72 because it directly affects the security of the premises.

Outside qualifying family-violence situations, tenants must get the rental provider's consent before changing locks and pay for the work. The rental provider must not unreasonably withhold consent; if consent is refused, the tenant can apply to VCAT. The tenant must give new keys to the rental provider or agent and other renters as soon as possible. A replacement lock must still meet the Standard 1 requirements.

Practical Audit

During your pre-advertising compliance walkthrough:

• Test every external door lock with the provided keys
• Confirm each lock allows keyless exit from inside — turn the handle or thumb-turn without a key
• Check that the deadlatch bolt extends fully into the strike plate and holds the door securely
• Photograph each lock mechanism for your Section 65F compliance records
• Note the lock type and brand in your audit record

If any external door has a simple knob lock without a deadlatch, or a double-cylinder deadlock requiring a key from both sides, the lock must be replaced before advertising.

A locksmith can typically upgrade a standard knob lock to a compliant deadlatch for $150–$300 per door, including hardware and labour.

The Victoria Rental Minimum Standards Compliance Guide covers Standard 1 lock requirements alongside all 15 Schedule 4 categories, with an audit worksheet that prompts you to check and document each external door during the property walkthrough.

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