Allan government deploy rental cops in landlord crackdown

The state government has deployed dozens of “rental cops” to catch and fine landlords failing to meet standards, but a real estate expert has warned the move may have “unintended consequences”.

The Allan government has deployed dozens of ‘rental cops’ to catch and fine landlords failing to meet standards in a major crackdown on rental providers.

The first of the government’s lease police were sent to property inspections in Melbourne’s southeast on Saturday to hunt for broken windows, locks and doors, mould, inefficient waterproofing and structural issues.

The taskforce will carry out spot checks, educate landlords and investigate complaints by renters, with individual rental providers and companies threatened with fines of up to $11,000 and $57,000 respectively if they are caught breaching rental standards.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria President Jacob Caine said while it was important to punish landlords who “egregiously flout the rules” the taskforce could have some “unintended consequences”.

“Some of the language used by the government makes it seem like there is a significant number of property owners not meeting the minimum standards,” he said.

“That is not the case.

“The overwhelming majority are compliant and offer fantastic homes for Victorian renters.”

It comes as the government prepares to roll out new minimum rental standards, including a switch to electric appliances, ceiling insulation, 4-star shower heads in all showers, blind cord anchors, and draught-proof windows and doors before a new lease is signed.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra warned that mum and dad investors forced to switch properties from gas to electricity could face upfront bills of at least $30,000 – $25,000 more than the government’s estimates.

But Consumer Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams on Saturday denied that the government’s estimates – which claim the total cost of the switch would be $5000 – were undercooked, saying Mr Guerra’s claim “doesn’t align with our calculations at all”.