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Victorian landlords and real estate agencies have been put on notice, with the state announcing a “blitz” to crackdown on noncompliant rental properties.
According to Victoria’s Consumer Affairs department, the state’s rental taskforce took to the streets of Clayton in Melbourne’s south-east on Saturday, 3 August, where a large number of rental properties were hosting open homes and more than 60 per cent of the suburb’s residents are renters.
This is reportedly the first of several targeted campaigns that will take place over the coming weeks to ensure that rental providers are following the rules of the law when it comes to leasing properties.
The taskforce is reportedly checking that minimum standards are being met, such as that the property contains a functional kitchen and lockable external doors, while being structurally sound and watertight.
A new online complaint form, launched by Consumer Affairs, is helping guide this action, with prospective tenants now able to easily flag concerns when visiting properties.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams and Consumer Affairs Victoria director Nicole Rich were also present in Clayton on Saturday to launch the “inspection blitz” and announced to rental providers that they were being watched.
Williams acknowledged that while “most rental providers and estate agents do the right thing,” the state was “cracking down on those trying to get away with rental offences”.
“Our renting taskforce will now be out attending open for inspections to make sure all properties on the market meet minimum standards,” she said.
Landlords and property managers were also reminded of the state’s stiff penalties for allowing a renter to move into a substandard property that did not meet the state’s regulations.
An individual can cop a fine of up to $11,000 for the offence, while agencies could be charged as much as $57,000.
The taskforce is following up on all reports submitted through the new webform, which can be accessed through the Consumer Affairs website, working with property owners and managers to make certain that they understand how any substandard properties must be repaired before being offered for rent. The online form can also be used to flag properties that are being falsely advertised.
NSW announced in June that it would also be launching a rental taskforce to ensure state laws and minimum standards were being met, and the state is expected to follow Victoria’s lead in implementing property inspections.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juliet Helmke
Based in Sydney, Juliet Helmke has a broad range of reporting and editorial experience across the areas of business, technology, entertainment and the arts. She was formerly Senior Editor at The New York Observer.
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