Crackdown on dodgy landlords: New taskforce to target rental law breaches

LANDLORDS and real estate agents who breach the state’s rental laws will be the focus of a new taskforce.

Embedded within Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), the $4 million dedicated renting taskforce aims to crack down on rental offences such as false advertising, leasing properties that do not meet minimum standards and the failure to lodge bonds.

There are more than 30,000 renters across the Geelong region and despite the introduction of new rental protections, including new property standards, in March 2021, many renters continue to report poor and illegal conduct.

Failure to meet minimum standards, which include a functional kitchen, lockable external doors and being structurally sound and waterproof, can result in fines of up to $11,000 for individuals and $57,000 for businesses.

However, as the state’s inquiry into housing affordability and the rental crisis revealed last year, several renters remain concerned CAV has not previously enforce the existing rental regulations to a sufficient level.

For others, the fear of homelessness or retaliation leads them to stay silent.

Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams said while most rental providers and real estate agents “do the right thing”, the taskforce announcement was about “sending a clear message to those trying to get away with rental offences”.

“It’s been almost three years since our landmark package of over 130 rental reforms took effect, and [now] we are making the rental market fairer for everyone by establishing the renting taskforce.”

The taskforce will be staffed by intelligence analysts, inspectors, investigators and lawyers, with plans to scale up its operations throughout the year.

CAV will also make it easier for renters to report potentially unlawful conduct by real estate agents and landlords to its intelligence team and upload evidence such as photos through its website.

For more information, head to consumer.vic.gov.au