This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Victorian government has announced a new renting taskforce to tackle dodgy landlords and real estate agents to stamp out false advertising, renting out properties that don’t meet minimum standards and not lodging bonds.
The taskforce is backed by a $4 million investment and—like the underquoting taskforce—will use intelligence and market analysis to boost monitoring of rental campaigns, conduct targeted inspections and act on identified breaches.
“Most rental providers and estate agents do the right thing – today’s announcement is about sending a clear message to those trying to get away with rental offences,” said Gabrielle Williams, minister for consumer affairs.
Embedded within Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), the taskforce will employ extra intelligence analysts, inspectors, investigators and lawyers.
CAV is set to expand its existing services and make it easier to report potential unlawful conduct to the intelligence team.
The taskforce will help enforce minimum rental stands like functional kitchens, lockable external store and being structurally sound and waterproof.
Allowing a new renter to take up residence in a property that doesn’t meet these standards is an offence with maximum penalties of over $11,000 for individuals and over $57,000 for companies.
Since 2021, the state government has introduced 130 reforms, with the recent Housing Statement including the banning 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.
“It’s been almost three years since our landmark package of over 130 rental reforms took effect, and today we are making the rental market fairer for everyone by establishing the renting taskforce,” added Williams.
The government is also establishing Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria and has committed to delivering a Rental Stress Support Package.
The new taskforce will scale up operations throughout 2024.
