The Allan Labor Government is raising awareness of minimum standards in rentals as the renting taskforce starts to ramp up - targeting and cracking down on dodgy rentals.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams today joined Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria 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 state-wide campaign will kick off today 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 Labor Government recently announced a dedicated renting taskforce, backed by a $4 million investment - 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 Labor Government's 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.
As stated by Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams
"We are delivering a targeted campaign across Victoria to ensure renters know their rights and rental providers know their legal obligations."
"Every Victorian renter has the right to live in a safe and secure home - that's why we introduced the minimum standards back in 2021 and it's why we established the renting taskforce to crack down on rental law breaches."
As stated by Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor
"We are making sure rental providers do the right thing and renters know their rights, so every rental property can be called a home."
