Safehaus Terms of Service
Last updated: 19 April 2026
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern all services provided by Safehaus (ABN 47 162 760 572) ("Safehaus", "we", "us", "our") to landlords, property buyers, property managers, real estate agencies, and their authorised representatives ("you", "the client").
By booking any Safehaus service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
1. About our services
Safehaus provides independent compliance assessments for Victorian residential rental properties. We assess properties against Victoria's current Minimum Rental Standards under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) and Residential Tenancies Regulations, including all updates in force as at the date of inspection (including the November 2025 reforms, December 2025 window covering anchor standard, and any subsequent amendments) and the upcoming 2027–2030 energy efficiency requirements.
Our services include:
• Safehaus Property Readiness Report ($495) — full assessment covering all current Minimum Rental Standards and 2027–2030 energy efficiency requirements
• Essentials Check ($195) — assessment of current Minimum Rental Standards only (does not include 2027–2030 energy efficiency requirements)
• Portfolio Assessment ($395+ per property) — Safehaus Property Readiness Report delivered across 3 or more properties under the same ownership
Each assessment is conducted through detailed on-site inspection of visible and accessible areas, supported by FLIR thermal imaging and flow rate testing where appropriate. Findings are photo-documented and delivered as a written PDF report by email to the address provided at booking.
Every Safehaus Property Readiness Report includes a 15-minute phone debrief with Keith. Every Essentials Check includes a 10-minute phone debrief with Keith. Both follow report delivery and provide an opportunity to walk through findings before you act on them.
Safehaus does not:
• Issue formal compliance certificates
• Perform installation, repairs, or remediation works
• Provide electrical, gas, or plumbing testing or certification
• Act as a trade, installer, technician, gas fitter, plumber, electrician, or building inspector
Compliance with Victorian rental legislation remains the legal responsibility of the rental provider at all times.
1A. Scope differences between services
Essentials Check ($195)
The Essentials Check assesses the property against Victoria's current Minimum Rental Standards only. It does NOT include assessment against the 2027–2030 energy efficiency requirements, which include but are not limited to: efficient heating, efficient cooling, electric hot water replacement requirements, ceiling insulation R-value requirements, draught-proofing requirements, and 4-star showerhead requirements.
Clients seeking assessment against the 2027–2030 requirements should book the Safehaus Property Readiness Report.
Safehaus Property Readiness Report ($495)
The Safehaus Property Readiness Report assesses the property against all current Minimum Rental Standards AND the 2027–2030 energy efficiency requirements. This is the recommended service for landlords planning lease renewals, property sales, or capital works in advance of the 2027–2030 deadlines.
Portfolio Assessment ($395+ per property)
The Portfolio Assessment is the Safehaus Property Readiness Report delivered across three or more properties under the same ownership. The same scope applies as the standard Property Readiness Report. All other terms in this agreement apply equally to Portfolio bookings.
2. Scope and limitations
Our assessments are based on:
• Visual and thermal inspection of visible and accessible areas of the property
• Information supplied by the client at the time of booking
• Conditions present at the time of attendance
• FLIR thermal imaging and flow rate testing where conducted
We do not:
• Dismantle, modify, or operate appliances or systems
• Enter roof cavities or spaces with access clearance below 600mm
• Inspect concealed, inaccessible, or locked areas
• Guarantee system performance, safety, or longevity
• Verify manufacturer specifications or certification
• Provide trade, engineering, or technical opinions
Cost estimates included in reports are indicative only, based on typical Melbourne metro market pricing at the time of assessment. They are not quotes. Actual costs will vary based on property-specific circumstances, trade availability, materials, location, and scope of works. You should obtain independent quotes from licensed trades before committing to any works.
VEU rebate eligibility information is general in nature and subject to program terms, conditions, and availability, which may change without notice. Safehaus does not guarantee any specific rebate outcome.
From 13 October 2026, Victorian rental providers are required to keep records demonstrating their property's compliance with Minimum Rental Standards at the time of advertising. A Safehaus report provides dated, photo-documented evidence of the property's compliance position at the date of inspection and supports this record-keeping obligation. Safehaus reports are not, however, a substitute for trade-issued safety certificates (such as electrical or gas certificates of compliance), which remain the responsibility of the rental provider to obtain separately as required by law.
All upgrade and remediation decisions should be confirmed with a licensed trade or qualified professional before proceeding.
3. Report validity
Findings in a Safehaus report reflect the property's condition and the applicable legislative position as at the date of inspection only. Safehaus makes no representation that findings remain accurate or current beyond that date.
The following may affect compliance status after the inspection date:
• Changes to Victorian rental legislation or regulations
• Property modifications or works carried out after inspection
• Change of tenancy or occupancy
• Deterioration or failure of systems or appliances over time
Clients seeking a current compliance picture beyond 12 months from their inspection date are recommended to book a new assessment.
4. Client responsibilities
You are responsible for:
• Providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date booking and property information
• Arranging safe, unobstructed access to all areas of the property at the agreed inspection time
• Coordinating access with tenants, property managers, or agents as required
• Obtaining all necessary consents from property owners, tenants, or bodies corporate before the inspection
• Ensuring the property is in a safe condition for our assessor to attend
• Maintaining compliance with all applicable Victorian rental laws at all times
• Obtaining independent trade quotes and professional advice before acting on report findings
Safehaus is not liable for incomplete or delayed assessments caused by:
• Incorrect or incomplete access information provided by you
• Tenant refusal of entry
• Unsafe or inaccessible conditions at the property
• Failure to obtain necessary consents
5. Pre-purchase assessments
If you are booking an assessment as part of a property purchase process, you acknowledge and agree that:
• Our report is one component of your due diligence only
• It does not replace and should be used alongside a building and pest inspection, legal review, strata records review, or other professional advice appropriate to the property
• All purchase decisions, including whether to proceed with, negotiate, or withdraw from a purchase, remain entirely your responsibility
• Safehaus accepts no liability for any purchase decisions made on the basis of, or in reliance on, our report
6. Trade referrals
Upon request, Safehaus may provide contact details for licensed trades. You acknowledge that:
• Safehaus does not oversee, endorse, warrant, or guarantee any third-party trade work
• We receive no commissions or financial benefit from trade referrals
• All due diligence in selecting and engaging third-party trades is your responsibility
• Safehaus accepts no liability for costs, workmanship quality, delays, damage, or disputes arising from third-party trade work
7. Referral relationships
Safehaus may receive client referrals from third-party professionals, including buyer's agents, conveyancers, mortgage brokers, financial planners, and property managers.
Safehaus may pay a referral fee to referring professionals for completed assessments. Any such fee is paid by Safehaus from our service fee and does not increase the price you pay as the client.
The existence of a referral relationship does not influence the content, findings, recommendations, or independence of your assessment or report. All assessments are conducted using the same independent framework regardless of referral source.
Referring professionals are independently responsible for disclosing any referral relationship to their clients. Safehaus is not responsible for any failure by a referring party to make such disclosure.
8. Warranties and exclusions
To the maximum extent permitted by the Australian Consumer Law ("ACL") and other applicable law, and subject to your non-excludable statutory rights:
Safehaus makes no representations or warranties in relation to:
• The achievement of any specific compliance outcome
• The accuracy of age, condition, or remaining life estimates for appliances or systems
• Upgrade or remediation costs beyond their indicative nature
• VEU or other rebate amounts, availability, or eligibility
• The performance, safety, or longevity of any appliance, system, or fixture following inspection
• The interpretation of regulations by Consumer Affairs Victoria or any other external body
• Future legislative or regulatory changes affecting compliance requirements
• Defects, conditions, or issues not visible or accessible at the time of inspection
Our reports constitute independent advisory guidance only. They are not warranties, certifications, or guarantees of any kind.
Nothing in this clause limits or excludes any rights or guarantees you may have under the ACL or other consumer protection legislation that cannot be lawfully excluded or limited.
9. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by the ACL and Victorian law, Safehaus's liability to you for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with our services is limited in the following ways:
Safehaus is not liable for:
• Indirect, consequential, incidental, or special loss or damage
• Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunity
• Loss of anticipated savings or rental income
• Loss of data or information
• Property damage caused by factors outside our reasonable control
• Appliance or system failure occurring after the inspection
• Future defects or deterioration not present or visible at the time of inspection
• Loss arising from reliance on report findings without obtaining independent trade confirmation
• Loss caused by delays, errors, or conduct of third parties
• Disputes arising between landlords, tenants, agencies, or trades
Safehaus's total aggregate liability for all claims arising from a specific assessment is limited to the fee paid by you for that assessment.
Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy conferred by the ACL or any other applicable law that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. Where the ACL applies and Safehaus is liable for a failure to comply with a consumer guarantee in relation to services, Safehaus's liability is limited (to the extent permitted by section 64A of the ACL) to the resupply of the services or the cost of having the services supplied again.
10. Pricing and payment
All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.
Current pricing:
Service
Price
Essentials Check
$195
Safehaus Property Readiness Report
$495
Portfolio Assessment
$395+ per property (3+ properties)
We may offer other pricing for services not listed above.
Safehaus reserves the right to update pricing at any time. The price confirmed in your booking applies to that booking.
Payment structure
Card details are collected at the time of booking via Stripe. No payment is taken at the time of booking. Your card is charged the full assessment fee upon delivery of your report.
A cancellation fee of $99 applies in the circumstances set out in Section 11. This fee is a genuine, reasonable pre-estimate of the costs Safehaus incurs in preparing for your assessment, including scheduling, access coordination, calendar allocation, and inspection planning.
Where the full fee cannot be processed against the card on file at the time of report delivery, Safehaus will invoice the outstanding amount, due within 7 days of the invoice date..
Reports will not be released until payment has been received in full. Safehaus retains ownership and copyright in all report content until full payment is made.
All invoices are issued with GST disclosed separately in accordance with A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
11. Cancellation
A cancellation fee of $99 will be charged to the card on file in the following circumstances:
(a) You cancel or reschedule within 24 hours of the scheduled inspection appointment.
(b) Our assessor attends the property and is unable to gain access for any reason not caused by Safehaus, including but not limited to: incorrect access details provided by you; tenant or occupant refusal of entry; incorrect, missing, or unavailable keys; undisclosed security barriers or locked gates; or the property being in an unsafe or inaccessible condition.
(c) You fail to attend or make the property available at the agreed time without prior notice to Safehaus.
Where access issues are identified and communicated to Safehaus before our assessor departs for the property, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule at no additional charge.
12. Cancellations and rescheduling
• Cancellations with 24+ hours notice: No fee charged.
• Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice: $99 cancellation fee charged to card on file as per Section 11.
• One free reschedule per booking, subject to availability, provided notice is given more than 24 hours before the appointment
13. Agency and property manager bookings
Where a real estate agency or property manager books on behalf of a property owner, the following payment arrangements are available (to be confirmed at the time of booking):
(a) Direct owner invoice — Safehaus invoices the property owner directly. Report is released following receipt of full payment from the owner.
(b) Agency trust account invoice — Safehaus invoices the agency. Payment is due within 7 business days. The agency accepts responsibility for recovering costs from the property owner.
(c) Rent disbursement deduction — The agency deducts the invoice amount from the owner's next rent disbursement. This arrangement requires written authorisation from the property manager prior to the assessment.
Where an agency or property manager books on behalf of an owner, card details are not required at the time of booking. Payment is handled per the arrangement selected at the time of booking (direct owner invoice, agency trust account, or rent disbursement deduction). The cancellation fee provisions in Section 11 apply equally to agency bookings, with the agency or property manager responsible for the fee unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to the assessment.
14. Late payment
Where payment is not received by the due date, Safehaus reserves the right to:
• Withhold delivery of, or access to, any report
• Decline future bookings from the same client or agency
• Charge a late payment fee of 2% per month on the outstanding balance, calculated from the due date
• Engage a debt recovery service, with all reasonable associated costs recoverable from the client
15. The Safehaus Clarity Guarantee
Every Safehaus Property Readiness Report includes a 15-minute phone debrief with Keith following report delivery. Every Essentials Check includes a 10-minute phone debrief with Keith following report delivery.
Safehaus guarantees: if after completing the debrief call you genuinely feel the report and debrief failed to clearly identify your property's compliance position (within the scope of the service booked), explain what action (if any) is required, and provide sufficient information for you to make an informed decision regarding your property, we will refund your full assessment fee, upon written request submitted to hello@safehaus.com.au within 7 days of the debrief call being completed.
Scope of the guarantee
• Applies to the assessment fee only.
• Does not extend to any consequential loss, third-party costs, or expenses incurred in reliance on the report.
• Refund requests received more than 7 days after the debrief call will be considered at Safehaus's discretion.
Anti-abuse provision
The Clarity Guarantee is designed to protect clients who received a genuinely unclear or incomplete assessment. Safehaus reserves the right to decline a refund request where, acting reasonably, we determine the request is made in bad faith — for example, where the client has demonstrably used the report to extract substantial commercial benefit from a third party (such as renegotiating a purchase price by a material amount) or has publicly represented the report findings as a formal compliance certification.
A report that identifies no compliance issues or no required upgrades does not in itself constitute a failure to provide clarity. A clear finding that a property meets all applicable standards is a valid and complete report outcome.
Routine sharing of the report with your property manager, conveyancer, solicitor, accountant, or trades for ordinary purposes does not disqualify a client from the guarantee.
Essentials Check carve-out
For Essentials Check bookings specifically, the Clarity Guarantee covers the assessment of current Minimum Rental Standards only. A claim that the report failed to address 2027–2030 energy efficiency requirements is not a valid basis for a refund under the Clarity Guarantee, as those items are explicitly outside the scope of the Essentials Check service.
The Clarity Guarantee is available once per client.
This guarantee does not constitute a warranty of compliance, a certification of any kind, or a guarantee of system performance, and does not limit or affect any rights you may have under the Australian Consumer Law.
16. Report delivery
Reports are delivered electronically as a PDF to the email address provided at the time of booking, typically within 48 hours of the inspection. In rare cases involving complex properties or access complications, delivery may extend to 72 hours. You will be notified if this applies to your assessment.
Reports are delivered upon successful processing of payment against the card on file. Where payment cannot be processed at the time of report delivery, Safehaus reserves the right to delay release of the report until payment is received in full. Safehaus retains ownership and copyright in all report content until full payment is made.
It is your responsibility to provide an accurate and active email address at booking, and to notify Safehaus immediately if your email address changes before report delivery. Safehaus is not responsible for non-delivery or delayed delivery caused by spam filters, email restrictions, firewalls, full mailboxes, or incorrect email addresses provided by the client.
The phone debrief call (15 minutes for Property Readiness Reports, 10 minutes for Essentials Checks) is scheduled separately following report delivery.
All findings should be reviewed with a licensed trade or qualified professional before taking action. Safehaus is not responsible for loss arising from misinterpretation of report content.
17. Intellectual property
All Safehaus reports, assessment frameworks, templates, photographs, documentation systems, and related materials are the exclusive intellectual property of Safehaus and are protected by copyright.
You may share your report with:
• Your property manager, real estate agent, or body corporate manager
• Your accountant, financial planner, or mortgage broker
• Your solicitor or conveyancer
• Licensed trades for the purpose of obtaining quotes or carrying out works
• A prospective buyer or their representatives, if you are selling the property (subject to the report validity limitations in Section 3)
You may not:
• Copy, reproduce, modify, or distribute any Safehaus report or assessment framework for commercial purposes without written permission
• Use any Safehaus report, template, framework, methodology, or output to develop, establish, market, or operate a competing compliance assessment service in Australia
Sample reports shared by Safehaus for marketing or reference purposes remain the exclusive intellectual property of Safehaus and may not be reproduced, adapted, or relied upon as representing the outcome of any specific assessment.
18. Force majeure
Neither party will be in breach of these Terms or liable for any delay or failure to perform obligations under these Terms where that delay or failure is caused by events beyond the party's reasonable control, including but not limited to:
• Natural disasters, bushfire, flood, earthquake, or severe weather events
• Pandemic, epidemic, or public health emergency
• Government-imposed lockdowns, travel restrictions, or access restrictions
• Acts of war, terrorism, or civil unrest
• Strikes, industrial action, or supply chain disruption
• Failure of essential infrastructure or utility services
The affected party will: notify the other party as soon as reasonably practicable; use reasonable endeavours to mitigate the impact; and resume performance as soon as the event has passed or ceased.
If a force majeure event prevents performance for more than 30 consecutive days, either party may terminate the affected booking by written notice. In that case, Safehaus will refund any amounts paid by the client for services not yet delivered, less a reasonable allowance for preparation costs already incurred.
19. Insurance
Safehaus holds Professional Indemnity insurance and Public Liability insurance appropriate to the nature and scope of services provided under these Terms.
20. Privacy and data handling
Safehaus handles your personal information in accordance with:
• Our Privacy Policy, available at safehaus.com.au/privacy-policy
• The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles
Data processing: Booking and payment data is processed through Acuity Scheduling (appointment management) and Stripe (payment processing). Client and property data is stored in our internal systems for the purpose of delivering reports and maintaining records.
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Data is retained for the period necessary to provide the service and to meet our legal and record-keeping obligations.
For any privacy-related enquiries or requests, please contact hello@safehaus.com.au.
21. Assignment
You may not assign, transfer, or novate your booking or any rights or obligations under these Terms to any other person without Safehaus's prior written consent.
Safehaus may assign or novate these Terms and any related bookings or obligations to a related entity or successor business in the event of a business restructure, merger, or sale of the Safehaus business, without requiring your consent, provided that the successor entity is bound by these Terms.
22. Variation of Terms
Safehaus may update these Terms from time to time. The version of these Terms in force at the time you make your booking governs that booking.
Updated Terms will be published at safehaus.com.au/terms-of-service with a revised "Last updated" date. It is your responsibility to review the current Terms at the time of booking.
Any variation to these Terms for a specific booking must be agreed in writing by both parties and will not be effective unless signed by an authorised representative of Safehaus.
23. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision will be severed from these Terms to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable. The remainder of these Terms will continue in full force and effect and will not be affected by the severance.
Where possible, an invalid or unenforceable provision will be read down or modified to the minimum extent necessary to render it valid, enforceable, and consistent with the original intention of the parties.
24. Entire agreement
These Terms, together with your written booking confirmation and the Safehaus report delivered to you, constitute the entire agreement between you and Safehaus with respect to the services provided and supersede all prior representations, negotiations, discussions, correspondence, and understandings between the parties, whether written or oral.
No representation, warranty, or statement made before the formation of this agreement (including in any marketing material, email, or verbal discussion) forms part of these Terms unless expressly incorporated in writing.
25. Unfair contract terms
Safehaus operates in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law, including the Unfair Contract Terms regime as amended on 9 November 2023. These Terms are drafted to be transparent, balanced, and reasonably necessary to protect Safehaus's legitimate business interests. No term in these Terms is intended to create a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations to your detriment.
If you believe any term in these Terms is unfair, please contact us at hello@safehaus.com.au. We will review your concern in good faith.
26. Electronic acceptance
Your electronic acceptance of these Terms — including by ticking a confirmation box during the online booking process — constitutes a valid and binding agreement to these Terms under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) and the Electronic Transactions (Victoria) Act 2000 (Vic).
Your acceptance has the same legal effect as a signed written agreement. Safehaus retains a record of your acceptance, including the date and time of booking and the version of the Terms in force at that time.
27. Complaints
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, we ask that you contact us in the first instance:
Email: hello@safehaus.com.au
Subject line: Complaint — [your name and property address]
We will acknowledge your complaint within 2 business days and aim to provide a substantive response within 5 business days. We are committed to resolving complaints fairly, promptly, and in good faith before any formal process is pursued.
If we are unable to resolve your complaint directly, you may contact Consumer Affairs Victoria or seek independent legal advice.
28. Governing law and jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Victoria, Australia. Each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria and any courts competent to hear appeals from those courts.
Nothing in this clause prevents either party from seeking urgent interlocutory relief in any jurisdiction.
29. Website content, statistics, and sample materials
Images and visual content
Images displayed on the Safehaus website are used for illustrative and descriptive purposes only. Some images may be stock photography, digitally enhanced, or AI-generated. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, images do not represent specific properties assessed by Safehaus, actual findings from completed assessments, or the properties of any current or former client.
Thermal imaging photographs shown on the website are representative examples of the type of findings a Safehaus assessment may identify. They may have been processed or enhanced for clarity and presentation. They do not constitute a representation as to the findings of any specific or future assessment.
Statistics and data
Statistics referenced on this website — including compliance gap averages, percentages of properties with identified issues, and cost estimates — are based on Safehaus assessments completed across Melbourne metro between 2024 and 2026. These figures are indicative and represent findings from a limited sample of assessed properties. They do not constitute a prediction, guarantee, or warranty regarding findings at any specific property. Actual findings vary by property type, age, location, condition, and a range of other factors.
Statistics are updated periodically and may not reflect the most current assessment data at all times.
Sample reports
Sample reports and extracts made available on the website or upon request are illustrative only. They contain fictitious property details, placeholder addresses, and indicative findings. They do not represent an actual completed assessment and should not be relied upon as evidence of any property's compliance status, or as an indication of the specific findings, format, or content of a report produced for a client.
Safehaus makes no representation that website content, statistics, or sample materials accurately reflect the findings of any specific assessment delivered to a client.
Agency and brand references
References to real estate agencies, property management companies, or other third-party brands on the Safehaus website are made solely to indicate that Safehaus has conducted assessments at properties under the management of those agencies. Such references do not imply endorsement, recommendation, approval, or any formal referral or business relationship between Safehaus and the referenced agency or brand. All third-party brand names and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
30. Acceptance and acknowledgment
By booking any Safehaus service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms. You acknowledge that:
(a) Safehaus provides independent compliance assessments using visual inspection of visible and accessible areas, supported by FLIR thermal imaging and flow rate testing where applicable to the service booked, and does not provide formal compliance certification;
(b) All report findings are advisory only and must be validated by licensed trades and qualified professionals before any works are commissioned or purchase decisions are made;
(c) Cost estimates in the report are indicative market rates only and are not quotes;
(d) Safehaus does not guarantee any specific compliance outcome or system performance;
(e) Compliance with Victorian rental legislation remains the sole legal responsibility of the rental provider at all times;
(f) You have had a reasonable and genuine opportunity to read and consider these Terms before booking;
(g) You are entering into this agreement freely and without duress.
(h) You authorise Safehaus to charge the credit card on file the full assessment fee upon delivery of your report, and to charge a cancellation fee of $99 in the circumstances set out in Section 11.
Contact Safehaus
Email: hello@safehaus.com.au
Phone: 0451 177 610
Website: safehaus.com.au