Victorian government targets dodgy rentals with new campaign

THE state government is stepping up efforts to ensure rental properties across Victoria meet minimum safety and quality standards with a campaign to educate rental providers and renters about their rights and responsibilities.

Featured across major real estate websites, this initiative is part of a broader crackdown on substandard rental accommodations, spearheaded by a newly established renting taskforce.

Minister for Consumer Affairs Gabrielle Williams said the Victorian government was committed to tackling the issue of poorly maintained rentals and said that letting properties that fail to meet essential standards, such as having a functional kitchen, lockable doors, and being weatherproof, is now a criminal offence.

“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.”

This enforcement comes as new data from the PropTrack Rental Report March 2024 reveals a significant shortage of rental stock in regional Victoria, with total listings 26.5% below the decade average. The scarcity has driven median rents up by 7.1% over the past year.

Lawyer and tenant advocate Jordan van den Berg said the campaign was important for regional Victoria but the minimum standards were too minimal and there were too many loopholes.

“For example, it’s legal in Victoria to advertise rental properties that don’t meet the minimum rental standards,” he said.

“The standards don’t include things like insulation or cooling, and even as they stand – landlords and real estate agents are already getting away with renting properties that don’t meet them.”

“There is such massive room for improvement. They’re “minimum” standards at the end of the day, your house should be much better than the minimum.”

The government’s efforts also include other initiatives under its Housing Statement, such as banning rental bidding, limiting rent increases, and extending the notice periods for rent increases and evictions to 90 days.

Moreover, the launch of Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria and a Rental Stress Support Package aims to further support tenants facing difficulties.