Victoria’s rental reforms: Tenants Victoria says gaps still remain
Being able to own a pet under reformed rental laws is great news, but advocates say there are plenty of potentially dangerous gaps that tenants should speak up about before a looming deadline.
Asbestos presence, electrical safety and privacy concerns are alarming “gaps” advocates claim are missing in Victoria’s draft rental law changes.
Tenants Victoria chief executive Jennifer Beveridge said the raft of proposed industry reforms, which included the introduction of minimum standards, still had room for improvement.
“Many renters will not be told their homes have histories of mould or contain asbestos,” Ms Beveridge said.
“There is also no provision for adequate ventilation or cooling during summer.”
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The group has also called for mandatory window coverings in bathrooms and cooling amenities like installed fans or air conditioners to be included.
Energy efficient insulation that would lower power bill costs would also benefit low-income renters, Ms Beveridge said.
Victorians can have their say on the new regulations until public consultation closes on December 18.
Tenants Victoria welcomed many of the minimum standards unveiled by the state government last month, which would prevent landlords from listing homes without working toilets or lockable doors.
Rentals will also have to include adequate hot and cold water supply, working kitchen facilities, vermin-proof bins, windows with coverings that open and access to natural light.
Major changes among the 130 rental reforms included tenants being able to make cosmetic modifications and own pets within reason without permission.
Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Leah Calnan said the industry body was preparing a submission about the changes with many concerns.
“The legislation takes control away from property owners, with many landlords nervous about changes to the investment property they worked so hard to purchase,” Ms Calnan said.
“If rental housing stocks are impacted, this legislation will make it harder for a tenant to get a rental home.”
Some of the government’s other rental law changes have already come into effect, while the rest are set to be rolled out July 1, 2020.
Rent rises have been limited to once a year rather than every six months and long-term lease agreements of more than five years have been introduced.
Victorian government spokesman Stephanie Jones said an increase in rental demand had created the need for law changes.
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“These reforms will increase protection for renters, while ensuring rental providers can continue to manage their properties effectively,” Ms Jones said.
“We’ll await the outcome of the public consultation before we make any final decisions on the regulations and we encourage all Victorians to have their say.”
Victoria is home to about 1.5 million tenants, according to the most recent Census.
Abbotsford renter Sasha Soibelman said it was common for rental properties to be in poor condition, with a 20-year-old oven in his house recently repaired and some windows missing fly wire.
“I think there are some aspects of what’s considered normal livability for a premises that’s not really plausible,” Mr Soibelman told the Herald Sun.
Originally published as Victoria’s rental reforms: Tenants Victoria says gaps still remain