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CHANGES IN RENTING… There are changes to the Residential Tenancies Act that are expected to be introduced into the Victorian Parliament in 2018. Photo: Supplied.
Residential tenancies legislation
set for an overhaul WITH more than 500,000 rental properties in Victoria, a significant proportion of the state’s population will be impacted by changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
E a rl i e r t h i s ye a r, t h e A n d r e w s Government released a comprehensive options paper looking at significant reform of the RTA, which governs the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords in the private rental market in relation to rent, bonds, dispute resolution and security of tenure. The options paper – Heading for Home - follows more than a year of public consultation, seven issues papers and numerous stakeholder meetings as part of the Government’s Fairer, Safer Housing initiative. Rea l E st ate I nst it ute of Vic toria (REIV) president, Joseph Walton said, “With landlords and property managers accounting for around 70 percent of disputes brought before the Victorian Civil Page 24 – The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1346 Wednesday, March 22, 2017
and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the R EI V has called for significant improvements to the dispute resolution process. This includes greater consistency, internal appeals and enforcement of VCAT orders. “T he R E I V also suppor ts the recognition and enforcement of additional contract terms, including ‘no pets’ clauses. The institute strongly believes pets should only be permitted in rental properties by agreement between landlords and tenants. “Following consultation, the government will consider a comprehensive refor m p ac k a ge a nd d e velop ne w legislation and regulations, which is expected to be introduced into the Victorian Parliament in 2018.”