The short answer
In Victoria renters are eligible↗ for VEU upgrades, including window glazing in a private rental, but landlord permission may be needed↗. Separately, rental homes need draught proofing on external doors, windows and unsealed wall vents from 1 July 2027↗, and door snakes do not count↗.
Can a renter really get double glazing through VEU?
The program says renters are eligible, and it says so plainly: renters are eligible↗. Double glazing changes the building rather than the contents, so start with the landlord. The program's own advice is that landlord permission may be needed↗, depending on the change, the property and the length of the lease. Consumer Affairs Victoria publishes the list of changes renters can make, which is the place to check before you organise anything.
What will the rental draught proofing standard require?
From the date above, external doors, windows and unsealed wall vents in Victorian rentals need draught proofing fitted. The detail that catches people out is that door snakes do not count↗: the standard is about fixed products, not a rolled-up towel at the bottom of the door. Gas safety checks come into it as well where there are gas appliances, so this is work for a qualified installer rather than a weekend.
Dates for Victorian rentals
Show the dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 12 September 2026 | Today, when these figures were checked |
| 1 October 2026 | Insulation discounts open to more homes |
| 1 July 2027 | Draught proofing required on doors, windows and unsealed wall vents |
Which discounts help a landlord most?
Victorian discounts a landlord can use
Show the numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Weather sealing | $700 |
| Ceiling insulation | $1,482 |
Weather sealing is worth up to $700↗ and lines up with the draught proofing standard, so it is the obvious place to start. Insulation is up to $1,482 from 1 October 2026↗, with a minimum customer contribution of $200↗. Window glazing is measured differently, at up to $210 per 10 m²↗, which is why it sits outside the chart above: the amount depends on the glass area rather than the house.
How should a renter and a landlord work it out between them?
- Put the request in writing, describing the work and who would arrange it.
- Agree who talks to the accredited provider, since the provider handles the discount either way.
- Ask for the quote to show the VEU discount as its own line.
- Keep the quote and the product details with the tenancy paperwork.
What about the windows themselves?
If replacement is on the table, the numbers are the same as for any other house: $2,300 to $3,500 per window↗ per window in Melbourne, before the discount. Sealing gaps around existing windows is a much smaller job, and for a rental it is the one with a deadline attached.
Tenancy rules and minimum standards are set by Victorian law and change over time. Check Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Energy Victoria pages in the sources before relying on this.