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Established in March this year, Victoria’s rental taskforce has been quick to launch actions in areas with a high number of renters – and reports of substandard conditions.
Consumer Affairs Victoria’s (CAV) renting taskforce has reported on an inspection “blitz” carried out last weekend in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs, such as Fitzroy, where it said a high level of complaints had been originating.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams and CAV director Nicole Rich were also in Clayton on the weekend, alongside inspectors, and warned that rental providers were being watched. Williams announced that the renting taskforce will continue to attend open for inspections in these areas and beyond to confirm that all properties on the market are adhering to protocol.
“Every Victorian renter has the right to live in a safe and secure home,” said Williams. “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.”
Poorly cared for rentals were one of the top five issues that Consumer Affairs Victoria received complaints about in 2023.
Victorian landlords and real estate agencies must meet 14 categories of minimum standards for rental properties in order to legally rent out a property to a tenant. These categories cover aspects of property reasonably expected to be upheld, such as structural soundness, a functional kitchen and windows that open.
The taskforce’s goal is to guarantee a property meets these standards, with any discovered to be lacking taken off the market until they are rectified. If a property doesn’t align with the state’s requirements, the taskforce will work with agents to ensure they accept their responsibilities and actively verify repairs take place.
Allowing a new renter to move into a property that doesn’t comply with the minimum standards is an offence under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, with maximum penalties of more than $11,000 for landlords and property managers and more than $57,000 for companies.
Weekend inspection blitzes are just one of the actions the taskforce is taking to monitor and inspect rental properties. The taskforce has launched several targeted campaigns, ensuring that rental providers abide by the law.
A new online complaint form, launched by Consumer Affairs, is navigating the undertaking of blitz operations, with possible tenants now able to flag concerns upon visiting properties. The online form has also been used to flag properties advertised falsely, with some reports being submitted by frustrated estate agents.
Reflecting Consumer Affairs Victoria, NSW announced in June that it would introduce a rental taskforce to ensure that state laws and minimum standards are being met, and the state is scheduled to follow Victoria’s lead in implementing property inspections.
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