Mould Removal in Rentals: Who's Responsible in Victoria?
By Cleaning Near Me team ·
Short answer: mould removal in a Victorian rental depends on what caused the mould. If it comes from the building, such as a leaking roof, a faulty window or rising damp, the rental provider must fix it. If it grew because of how the home was used, such as no ventilation in the bathroom, the renter is usually responsible for cleaning it.
Who is responsible for mould removal in a rental in Victoria?
It depends on the cause. Consumer Affairs Victoria’s guidance looks at whether a fault with the property or the way the renter used it led to the mould.
Rental properties covered by Victoria’s minimum standards must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure. They must also have adequate ventilation in habitable rooms, including the bathroom, toilet and laundry.
The renter’s side is just as clear. Consumer Affairs Victoria gives the example of mould that formed because a renter didn’t use the bathroom exhaust fan. In that case the renter should fix it, and the rental provider can issue a breach of duty notice if they don’t.
| Cause of the mould | Usually responsible | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Building fault | Rental provider | Leaking roof or gutters, faulty window frame letting rain in, rising damp, broken exhaust fan |
| How the home is used | Renter | Exhaust fan not used, drying washing indoors with windows shut, wet towels left in cupboards |
| Both, or unclear | Agree it in writing, or VCAT decides | Poor ventilation in an older flat, combined with heavy condensation |
Read the full guidance on pests, infestations and mould on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website, because the law doesn’t always say who pays and the specific facts matter.
Is mould an urgent repair?
Sometimes. Mould or damp caused by or related to the building structure is an urgent repair when it makes the property unsafe or insecure, and urgent repairs must be done immediately.
Report it to your agent or rental provider in writing as soon as you notice it. Include dated photos and say where the moisture seems to come from, such as a ceiling stain under the roof or water around a window. Keep a copy of every message.
The minimum standards for rental properties page explains which agreements the standards apply to and what counts as adequate ventilation.
Can the agent deduct mould cleaning from my bond?
Yes, if the mould is cleaning the renter was responsible for. At the final inspection, the agent compares the property with the ingoing condition report. Mould on grout, shower silicone, ceilings or window frames that wasn’t there at the start is a common reason for a cleaning claim.
If the mould came from a building fault you reported, it isn’t fair to charge you for it. Your written reports and photos are your evidence. Our guide on how to get your full bond back in Victoria covers the bond claim steps.
Where does mould grow in Melbourne rentals?
Mostly in rooms with moisture and little airflow. Melbourne’s cold, damp winters make condensation worse, especially in older brick flats and in apartments with small or no bathroom windows.
Check these spots before the final inspection:
- Bathroom ceiling, especially above the shower
- Grout lines and silicone around the shower, bath and basin
- Shower screen tracks and the base of the shower door
- Exhaust fan cover and the area around it
- Window frames, sills and tracks where condensation collects
- Behind curtains and blinds on cold windows
- Inside wardrobes on outside walls, and behind furniture against them
- Laundry walls and under the laundry tub
In bayside suburbs such as St Kilda and Elwood, many art deco and 1960s walk-up flats have small bathrooms with poor ventilation. Bathroom mould and tired grout are common there.
How do you clean mould safely before you move out?
Clean small areas of surface mould with household detergent or white vinegar, and protect yourself while you do it. The Better Health Channel’s guide to mould removal at home recommends good ventilation, rubber gloves, eye protection and a P1 or P2 mask.
Follow this order:
- Open windows and turn on the exhaust fan.
- Wipe with a microfibre cloth and detergent or white vinegar. Rinse the cloth often in a separate bucket of clean water.
- Don’t dry brush mould, because it flicks spores into the air.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia, acids or other cleaners. The fumes are hazardous.
- Dry the area fully, then photograph it in daylight.
Some people shouldn’t remove mould or be nearby while it’s removed, including pregnant women, children and people with weakened immune systems or chronic lung disease. If the mould keeps coming back, covers a large area or comes with a musty smell from inside walls, report it to the rental provider rather than cleaning over it.
What can a professional end of lease clean do about mould?
A professional clean removes surface mould from hard surfaces, but it can’t fix the cause. Mould treatment is an add-on to our end of lease clean, from $21 per area, excluding GST.
We clean bathroom ceilings, tiles, grout, silicone, window frames and sills as part of the treatment. Mould that has grown deep into old silicone or porous grout may leave stains that don’t come out fully. Re-siliconing, roof leaks and rising damp are repairs, not cleaning.
Book the treatment with your end of lease cleaning Melbourne service, and use our end of lease cleaning checklist for Melbourne renters for the rest of the property. Our free re-clean promise applies if the agent or rental provider raises a reasonable cleaning issue within 3 days. It covers cleaning, not building faults or damage.
Key takeaways
- Who pays for mould removal in a Victorian rental depends on the cause: building faults sit with the rental provider, and mould from how the home was used sits with the renter.
- Rentals under the minimum standards must be free from mould and damp caused by the building structure, and have adequate ventilation.
- Mould or damp from the building that makes the home unsafe is an urgent repair.
- Report mould in writing with dated photos, and use the exhaust fan and open windows to stop it coming back.
- Clean small areas with detergent or white vinegar while wearing gloves, eye protection and a P1 or P2 mask; never mix bleach with other cleaners.
FAQs
Is black mould in the shower the renter’s responsibility?
Usually, if it’s surface mould from everyday showering without enough ventilation. Regular cleaning of grout and silicone is part of keeping the property reasonably clean. If the shower leaks or the exhaust fan doesn’t work, report it in writing, because that’s a repair for the rental provider.
Can I withhold rent because of mould?
No. Stopping rent payments can put you in breach of your agreement. Report the problem in writing and ask for the repair; if it’s urgent and not fixed, Consumer Affairs Victoria explains the next steps, including applying to VCAT.
Does an end of lease clean include mould removal?
Light surface marks are wiped during a standard clean. Visible mould on ceilings, grout, silicone or window frames is a separate add-on, so mention it when you request a quote and we’ll include it in the price.
Will mould come back after cleaning?
It often does if the moisture problem stays. Use the exhaust fan during and after showers, open windows when the weather allows and keep furniture slightly away from cold outside walls.
Moving out with mould in the bathroom? Get a free end of lease cleaning quote and add mould treatment to your clean. Calls are in English or Mandarin.
General information only, not legal or medical advice. See Consumer Affairs Victoria for the current rental rules.