Justice Connect welcomes landmark reforms to strengthen Victorian renters’ rights
30 Oct 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
Justice Connect welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of major reforms that will significantly strengthen protections for renters facing homelessness across the state.
The Allan Government today unveiled six major reforms that will make renting more secure and fair, including the removal of end of fixed term evictions.
Building on Victoria’s leading rental reforms, which were introduced in 2021, the removal of this ground for eviction will address a key gap in making the rental system more balanced for all community members.
“These reforms represent a valuable step forward in continuing to protect at-risk Victorian renters, particularly as our community grapples with heightened housing and cost-of-living pressures,” said Cameron Lavery, Head of Community Programs – Homeless Law at Justice Connect.
“The removal of end of fixed term evictions will give renters the increased security they need to have safe, sustainable homes, and assert their rights without fear of retaliation,” Lavery said.
As Victoria’s specialist free legal service for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, Justice Connect has seen firsthand how housing insecurity impacts the most at-risk members of our community, including women and children facing family violence.
Renters from across Victoria come to Justice Connect when they receive a notice to vacate for no other reason than the end of their initial fixed term. With nowhere to go, many renters have been at risk of being evicted into homelessness.
“Legal issues like evictions take a heavy toll on people who are facing housing insecurity.”
“This instability can trigger a cascade of challenges, from deteriorating health and financial stress to unemployment and increased safety risks. These reforms will help break these cycles before they begin,” Lavery explained.
The package of reforms introduces several additional measures to protect renters from unfair financial burdens, including:
- Stopping rental providers from making bond claims without evidence
- Capping the cost of breaking a lease
- Banning extra fees that renters get charged when they pay their own rent, including on ‘rent tech’ apps
- Prohibiting charging fees for ‘background checks’ during rental applications
- Requiring rental providers to provide additional security fobs or electronic keys upon request.
These latest reforms build on Justice Connect’s 25-year legacy of evidence-based, collaborative advocacy towards stronger rental protections in Victoria.
“With rising housing and cost-of-living pressures, these reforms are an important step in making evictions into homelessness a last resort across Victoria,” Lavery said. “Every Victorian deserves the security of a stable home, and these changes will help make that a reality.”
Justice Connect will continue working alongside the Victorian Government, alongside the wider tenancy assistance sector, to support the implementation of these valuable reforms for renters.
We commend the government on marking another significant milestone in Victoria’s journey toward a fairer rental system, which stops homelessness before it starts in our community.
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MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Emily Malone, Head of Engagement, Justice Connect
emily.malone@justiceconnect.org.au
+61 3 8636 4476
About Justice Connect:
Justice Connect is a legal service organisation and charity that designs and delivers high impact interventions to increase access to legal support and progress social justice.
About Justice Connect’s Homeless Law:
Justice Connect’s Homeless Law is Victoria’s specialist free legal service for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and has worked to prevent and end homelessness for 25 years.