Victoria’s peak tenancy body welcomes the news that the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2018 has tonight passed through Parliament. The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2018 marks first significant change to the state’s tenancy laws in twenty years.  Sweeping reforms include abolishing ‘no reason’ notices to vacate, subjecting rental properties to minimum property standards that address health and safety concerns, allowing tenants to undertake certain minor modifications, and making it easier to rent with pets.  New

It has been refreshing to see housing become a major focus for the State Government and media alike in recent months. This is a welcome development to those of us in the housing and community sector who have been working so hard for so long to inspire positive change. More importantly, it is a boon to so many public and private renters who need to know they’re not second-class citizens. With this renewed attention comes

Originally published on Make Renting Fair.   On 7 August 2018, the Victorian Government introduced a bill to Parliament – colloquially known as the ‘RentFair” Bill – that will amend the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). While this bill is not perfect, we believe that it is measured and balanced.  The changes outlined in the bill will provide renters with better protections without disadvantaging landlords, enabling them to make safe, healthy and happy lives for themselves

One of the most common issues Tenants Victoria is contacted about is mould.  These queries tend to increase during the colder months of the year as increased humidity wreak havoc on many buildings. According to a survey conducted by CHOICE and the National Association of Tenancy Organisations last year, 20% of renters said they have experienced mould growth in their homes that was difficult to remove or reappeared.  The survey also found that 21% of

Content provided by the Victorian Public Tenants Association on behalf of the Homes for All Campaign   Currently in Victoria, massive house prices are locking a generation out of home ownership and creating more renters than ever before. Growing competition for rental properties is causing rents to skyrocket, so more and more Victorians can no longer afford to rent in the private rental market. This is putting even more pressure on public housing, with over