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Rental properties in Melbourne’s south-east were recently put under the microscope as a Consumer Affairs taskforce cracked down on homes that failed to meet minimum standards.
Consumer Affairs Victoria’s renting taskforce recently visited rental open for inspections in Clayton to ensure properties met minimum Victorian rental standards.
The taskforce initially visited Clayton last year, but officers recently returned to the area to ensure rental providers were aware of their obligations to meet safety standards and advertise properties fairly.
The taskforce consisted of 14 officers who visited rental inspections, spoke with the renters at the inspections, and shared information about their rights.
While most properties attended by the officers met the minimum standards, one in eight properties were found to be inadequate.
Common issues included mould, windows without blinds or curtains, heating that did not meet the legal specifications, and kitchens without stovetops.
The taskforce has carried out inspections in multiple Melbourne suburbs, as well as Geelong and Bendigo.
Proactive inspections are just one way Consumer Affairs aims to prevent breaches, with the body also seeking to educate the public and employing awareness campaigns.
If a property does not meet minimum standards, officers first work with property managers and rental providers to ensure repairs happen before a renter moves in.
Rental providers could face hefty fines if they allow a renter to move into a property that does not meet minimum standards.
Individuals could receive maximum penalties of more than $11,000, while companies could be hit with a fine of more than $59,000 if found to be in breach.
So far, the taskforce has issued more than 80 fines totalling more than $670,000 for rental offences.
The breaches include not advertising a rental property at a fixed price, not lodging a bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority, and failing to meet the minimum standards.
The taskforce will conduct more inspections in the second half of 2025.
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