Renting Taskforce Returns To Protect Renters
The Allan Labor Government’s renting taskforce has returned to Melbourne’s south-east to ensure landlords are complying with their legal requirements and that properties are up to scratch.
Acting Minister for Consumer Affairs, Melissa Horne, said the taskforce carried out 25 inspections in Clayton over the weekend to ensure that rental homes are safe and compliant, and renters are aware of their rights.
Since 2024, the taskforce has issued more than 80 fines totaling more than $670,000. Offences include failing to advertise a rental property at a fixed price, not lodging a bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority, and breaching minimum standards.
Clayton was the first suburb the taskforce visited when inspections began last year, and officers revisited the area to attend inspections and ensure that rental properties met minimum standards and were advertised fairly.
Consumer Affairs Victoria uses a range of early interventions to protect Victorian renters, including proactive inspections, education, and public awareness campaigns to prevent breaches from occurring in the first place.
If the taskforce identifies a property that does not meet minimum standards, officers will first work with property managers and rental providers to ensure repairs are made before a renter moves in.
It is a criminal offence to let a renter move into a property that doesn’t meet minimum standards, with maximum penalties over $11,000 for individuals, while companies face up to $59,000.
The latest crackdown comes after the taskforce launched criminal prosecutions of five Victorian real estate agencies who allegedly failed to advertise properties at a fixed price. The agencies are due to face court this month.
This comes on the back of the recent launch of Residential Dispute Resolution Victoria, which will help renters and rental providers settle disputes over bonds, compensation, repairs and rent increases in a more informal setting, freeing up VCAT to deal with other cases.
The free service – announced as part of the Government’s nation-leading housing and renting fairness reforms – will give renters a fairer go without the barrier of expensive legal fees or an intimidating VCAT hearing.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has a dedicated online form for Victorian renters and industry to raise their concerns. For more information about rental minimum standards or to lodge a concern, visit consumer.vic.gov.au/renting.
As stated by Acting Minister for Consumer Affairs Melissa Horne
“Victorian renters deserve to live in a home that is safe and secure, and our renting taskforce is making sure this is the standard.”
“We know that most rental providers and real estate agents want to do the right thing, which is why we are working with them to make sure they know their obligations to Victorian renters.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-07/250701-Renting-Taskforce-Returns-To-Protect-Renters.pdf