Rental property bathroom upgrades in Reservoir and Melbourne's north

Reservoir, Thomastown, Lalor, Epping and Bundoora have a lot of rental homes and units, and the bathroom is often the room that tenants judge a property on. A good rental bathroom needs to look fresh, survive years of everyday use and be cheap to maintain. Here is how to choose products that do all three, with ranges you can see at our Reservoir showroom.

Know your obligations

Rental properties in Victoria need to meet minimum standards, including a working toilet, a bathroom with a washbasin and a shower or bath, and hot and cold water. Check the current requirements on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website before you plan, and make sure any work is done by licensed trades where required. Water efficient fittings can also matter for water billing, so check WELS ratings when you compare products. Our WELS and WaterMark guide explains the labels.

Floors: tough and forgiving

• Choose glazed matt porcelain with a slip rating that suits wet areas.
• Mid tones such as warm grey, greige or a terrazzo look hide marks between cleans.
• 600x600mm is easy to source again if a tile ever needs replacing. Keep a few spare tiles from the original order.

Walls: easy to wipe

A white or light 300x600mm glazed wall tile is the classic rental choice for good reason: it is affordable, timeless and easy to clean. Tile the full height of the shower and at least splash height elsewhere. A mid grey grout hides wear better than bright white.

Tapware: simple and robust

• Single lever basin mixers and shower mixers are easy for anyone to use.
• Chrome is the most forgiving finish to clean and the easiest to match later.
• Buy basin, shower and bath tapware from the same range so replacement parts are simple.
• A rail shower suits tenants of every height.

Vanities: storage that survives

Choose a vanity with a moisture resistant carcass, a solid top and drawers that close softly. Floor standing vanities give the most storage. Avoid fragile finishes in high traffic properties. A shaving cabinet adds storage that tenants always appreciate.

Toilets and baths

• A back to wall toilet suite is easy to clean around and suits most existing set outs.
• A back to wall bath with a shower over is still the best layout for family rentals. In a one or two bedroom unit, a larger shower may appeal more.

Accessories that last

Solid towel rails, toilet roll holders and robe hooks fixed into studs or with proper anchors avoid repairs. Match them to the tapware finish.

Refresh or renovate?

If the tiles and waterproofing are sound, a refresh can be enough: a new vanity, tapware, toilet, mirror and accessories, plus a regrout. If there are signs of leaks, drummy tiles or a failing shower base, it is better to renovate properly. Read our waterproofing basics and replacing and reusing tiles guides.

Keep the timeline tight

Every week a rental sits empty costs money. Choose products early, confirm tiles are ready before demolition, and order everything in one go. Most orders are ready for free pickup from Reservoir in 2 to 4 days, or delivered to the property.

Next steps

We offer a free measure across the north, including Thomastown, Epping and Mill Park and Bundoora and Greensborough, and can quote installation by our qualified trades, or supply products only to your own builder. Investors with several properties can talk to us about our trade account.

Common questions

What is the most durable bathroom floor tile for a rental?

A glazed matt porcelain tile in a mid tone, with a slip rating suited to wet areas. It resists wear and stains and hides marks between cleans.

Which tapware finish is best for a rental?

Chrome is the easiest to clean and to match later, and single lever mixers are simple for every tenant to use.

Can you supply products to my builder or property manager?

Yes. We can deliver to the property or your builder, or you can pick up from the Reservoir showroom.

Visit us or shop online

See the range in person at our showrooms: Geelong at 35A Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, phone (03) 5223 2765, and Reservoir at 214 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, phone (03) 9867 5051. Both are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm and Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, or book a renovation consult, and ask us to include installation by our qualified trades if you would like it quoted. Prefer to shop from home? Order online with Australia-wide delivery, or pick up from either showroom, usually ready in 2 to 4 days. See all the areas we serve.