Thursday, 31 October 2024

Rental reform

Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (17:23): (904) My adjournment is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide me with an update on how the renting taskforce is working to monitor the market and inspect properties in my electorate of Northcote. Around 40 per cent of residents in my community are renting, and under the Allan Labor government Victoria is now setting the standard nationwide for strong renters rights. This includes cracking down on rental providers and estate agents who do the wrong thing, because renters should not have to put up with conduct that is not only unfair but illegal.

Since March last year the renting taskforce has been working to make sure rentals are being advertised fairly, that properties meet the mandatory minimum standards for safety and livability and that bonds are being lodged properly. They have worked with rental providers to make sure they understand and comply with their obligations but have also issued almost $450,000 in fines for clear breaches – a strong signal to the market that bad-faith actors will meet consequences.

The taskforce is just one of Labor’s suite of reforms designed to give renters the dignity of a safe, secure and stable home – something every one of us deserves. Along with increasing the minimum standards for safety, energy efficiency and comfort in rental homes, the Victorian Labor government will establish Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria to help renters resolve issues without the huge time, expense and stress of VCAT. We will make it easier when renters move properties with a new portable bond scheme, will stop landlords making dubious bond claims without evidence or receipts for repair, will ban no-fault evictions so you cannot be kicked out of your home for no reason, will ban the extra fees that get charged when you pay rent including on rent tech apps, will ban rental providers from charging background check fees on rental applications, will cap the cost of breaking a lease so no-one is burdened with exorbitant amounts in compensation when they need to move and will make it clear that if you need an extra key or fob for your apartment, you get one.

In the inner the north, where renting is widespread, the impact of these reforms is deeply significant. For so many people in my community it will mean the security of a stable, comfortable home. It will mean not paying more than they should, and should things not go to plan, it will mean keeping them out of court and in control of their rights. Coupled with our landmark announcements about building more homes, slashing stamp duty, ensuring developers contribute funding for public infrastructure, overhauling the Victorian Planning Authority and putting in stronger protections around building quality, we are creating opportunities for Victorians of every generation. I look forward to seeing the renting taskforce out in action in the inner north.