Renting Taskforce Here To Stay Under Labor

Labor’s rental reforms are making life easier and more affordable for Victorian families. Now we’re making the Renting Taskforce permanent and delivering more funding to help renters. Sharper teeth The taskforce monitors rental campaigns, conducts targeted inspections and takes action against dodgy agents .

Labor is backing it with six new inspectors and more staff to crack down on false advertising, sub-standard homes and missing bonds. That means more inspections, more often. The taskforce has issued 250 warnings, 130 infringements, $900,000 in fines and started 11 court actions.

Renter complaints constitute one in three contacts with Consumer Affairs Victoria. Recently, Ingenia Gardens rented units to older Victorians with no cooktop, then banned them from cooking in their own home – resulting in $1 million in fines. Better support, tailored services We’re also doubling the funding for renter support services to more than $99 million over five years.

These supports will be delivered through the new Victorian Renter Rights Program, which is expected to provide assistance and advice to more than 25,000 renters, and will see the creation of four new services: The Victorian Renters Helpline – one number, one website, every renter. The Renter Rights Service – advice, support and advocacy within reach in every region.

The Older Persons Housing Rights Service – backing older renters and retirement village residents. The Renting Central Service – frontline worker training, multicultural support, complex legal cases. Jess Wilson’s One Nation-Liberal coalition and their $40 billion cuts plan will slash protections like these.

For more on the Renting Taskforce the Victorian Renter Rights Program, visit consumer.vic.gov.au. Quotes attributable to Minister for Renters Tim Richardson “Dodgy agents have spent over two years waiting for this taskforce to quietly disappear, but it is here to stay.” “If your bond was never lodged or your blind cords aren’t kidsafe – it’s against the law and the taskforce is out to catch you.” “This new renters rights programs funding will mean that tenants seeking advice or living in an unsafe house can get the support they need when they need it.”