The state government is raising awareness for renters and the minimum standards in rentals as the renting taskforce targets and cracks down on dodgy rentals.
Consumer Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams joined Consumer Affairs Victoria director Nicole Rich to remind rental providers, agents and renters of their rights and obligations ahead of the taskforce’s crackdown on rental law breaches – including breaches of the minimum standards.
A statewide campaign has kicked off giving easy to understand information to Victorian rental providers about their obligations to deliver a safer and secure home, and to renters about their rights while renting.
The campaign will run across multiple platforms over the coming months and will be visible on key real estate websites. Translations will also help get the message out to people who don’t speak English.
Rental properties in Victoria must meet minimum safety and quality standards and include things that people would reasonably expect of a home – like a functional kitchen, lockable external doors, and being structurally sound and weatherproof.
Letting a new renter move into a rental property that doesn’t meet these standards is a criminal offence, with maximum penalties of more than $11,000 for individuals and $57,000 for companies.
There has been an increase in reports of poorly maintained rentals – with repairs and maintenance in the top five issues that people contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria about last financial year.
The state government recently announced a dedicated renting taskforce, to crack down on offences like renting out properties that don’t meet the minimum standards.
The renting taskforce builds on work being done through the state governments Housing Statement, including banning all types of rental bidding, restricting rent increases between successive fixed-term rental agreements, and extending the notice of rent increase and notice to vacate periods to 90 days.
The Government is also establishing Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria and delivering a Rental Stress Support Package to support tenants doing it tough.
