Rental security upgrades: what Victorian landlords must let tenants install

Can you install a security camera in your Melbourne rental without your landlord’s permission? In most cases, yes.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, Victorian renters have clear rights to install cameras, alarms, and security lighting. Many of these don’t require landlord approval at all.

The rules changed in 2021 to give renters more control over their safety, but the details can be confusing. Some security devices are allowed outright. Others need consent; your landlord legally cannot refuse without good reason. A few situations end up at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

This guide walks you through exactly what you can install without asking, what needs approval, when your landlord can say no, and what to do if they refuse unreasonably. And if you get to the point where you want it done properly, Gorilla Security can help you install a system that meets these requirements from the start.

Key Takeaways

• You can install removable security cameras, alarms, and security lights without your landlord’s permission, as long as the devices aren’t hardwired and don’t affect your neighbours’ privacy.
• Hardwired or permanent security systems need your landlord’s consent, but they cannot unreasonably refuse it if you use a qualified installer and provide the invoice.
• Your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse “reasonable security measures,” including upgrades needed for your safety due to family violence.
• If your landlord unreasonably refuses consent, you can apply to VCAT, and your case must be heard within 5 business days.
• You may still need to restore the property or pay a bond to cover removal costs, depending on what you agree with your landlord.

Can Renters Install Security Cameras or Alarms Without Permission in Victoria?

Yes, as long as the device is removable, not hardwired, and doesn’t affect your neighbours’ privacy. Under Regulation 26 of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, you can install security cameras, alarm systems, and security lights in your Melbourne rental without asking your landlord first.

There are three conditions that must all be met:

• The device can be easily removed from the property
• It is not hardwired into the property’s electrical system
• It does not impact the privacy of your neighbours

This means a battery-powered or plug-in camera you can unscrew or unmount easily qualifies. A camera wired directly into the property’s power supply does not fall into the “consent required” category.

The “neighbour privacy” condition matters more than it sounds. If your camera’s field of view captures a neighbour’s window, yard, or entryway, your landlord has grounds to ask you to reposition or remove it, even if the device itself is otherwise compliant.

What Security Upgrades Need Landlord Consent – But Can’t Be Unreasonably Refused?

Some upgrades need your landlord’s written consent, but under Regulation 28, they cannot unreasonably refuse it. Two categories matter most for security: hardwired systems and upgrades tied to your personal safety.

Hardwired or Permanent Security Systems

If you want a professional to install a security system that is connected into the property rather than plugging it in, you must first obtain permission from your landlord. But they cannot unreasonably withhold it if:

• The system is installed by a suitably qualified installer
• You provide your landlord with the invoice showing the installer’s name at the time you request consent
• The installation does not impact your neighbours’ privacy

This scenario is where working with a licensed security company matters. An invoice from an unlicensed or unclear installer gives your landlord a legitimate reason to push back.

“Reasonable Security Measures” and Family Violence Protections

The Residential Tenancies Act also protects a broader category: “reasonable security measures”. Your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse consent for modifications that are needed for your health and safety or that improve your security as a general matter.

This protection is stronger if you have experienced family violence from another party to your rental agreement. In these cases, security upgrades needed for your safety fall under specific protections in the Act, and the same applies if you’re a protected person under a personal safety intervention order.

When Can a Landlord Legally Refuse a Security Upgrade Request?

Your landlord can refuse a security upgrade request if they have good reason — this isn’t unlimited discretion, but it’s not nothing either. Common valid reasons include:

If your landlord refuses and doesn’t give you a reason, ask directly. An alternative strategy can frequently resolve a valid problem, such as a heritage overlay you were unaware of.

What Happens If a Landlord Unreasonably Refuses Consent?

If your landlord refuses consent without good reason, you can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for an order that their consent isn’t required. VCAT must hear this application within 5 business days.

Note that Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) now handles some rental disputes that previously went straight to VCAT. If you’re unsure which body applies to your situation, check the current guidance before applying, since this process has recently changed.

You cannot apply to VCAT under this process if you’ve already made an application about the same issue under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

Do Renters Need to Pay a Bond or Remove Security Devices When They Move Out?

In most cases, yes — even with your landlord’s consent, you’re generally responsible for restoring the property to its original condition when you move out or paying the reasonable cost of that restoration.

There are exceptions. You don’t need to restore the property if:

• Your landlord agrees you don’t have to
• Your rental agreement states restoration isn’t required
• You’ve paid a modification bond covering the cost

Modification bonds are additional bond amounts your landlord can request to cover the cost of undoing changes. However, they cannot ask for one if:

• The amount is less than $500
• It’s disproportionate to the actual cost of reversing the change
• The change is funded by a scheme (like the NDIS) where restoration isn’t a funding condition

If you’re planning a security upgrade you’d like to keep permanently, it’s worth negotiating this in writing with your landlord before installation – not after.

What Should Melbourne Landlords Do Instead of Waiting for Tenant Requests?

If you’re a landlord reading this, the better move is installing a compliant security system before a tenant asks. Waiting for requests means responding reactively, often under time pressure, to a system you didn’t choose and can’t easily inspect.

Proactive installation means you control the installer, the system quality, and the documentation from day one. It also removes a common point of friction between landlords and tenants during a lease.

Where This Leaves You

Knowing your rights as a Melbourne renter changes how you approach security. You don’t have to wait for permission to install a basic camera, alarm, or security light and for anything more permanent, your landlord can’t unreasonably stand in your way.

The key is doing it properly. A removable camera keeps things simple. A hardwired system requires the correct paperwork and a qualified installer to prevent future disputes.

Gorilla Security can assist if you’re ready for something more long-term, whether you’re a landlord who would prefer proactive installation over field requests or you’re renting and want it done correctly. We install major brands like Hikvision systems across Melbourne, with the documentation and licensed installation your lease requires.