Response to the Minimum Standards for Rental Properties and Rooming Houses

In Victoria, minimum rental standards including the cleanliness, privacy, security and amenity for rental properties and rooming houses are prescribed under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 and the Residential Tenancies (Rooming House Standards) Regulations 2023.

In line with the Victorian Government’s commitments under the Gas Substitution Roadmap Update and the transition towards net zero emissions by 2045, additional minimum standards for rental properties and rooming houses relating to energy efficiency are proposed to ensure that renters and rooming house residents are provided with comfortable and energy efficient living arrangements. These are outlined in the proposed Residential Tenancies and Residential Tenancies (Rooming House Standards) Amendment (Minimum Energy Efficiency and Safety Standards) Regulations 2024, which the Government has released for comment.

CHP in principle supports the proposed changes. But we recommend that a single regulatory framework for all rental properties—including rooming houses—be implemented. Despite the well-documented need to improve the quality of services available in rooming houses, the proposed regulations regarding draughtproofing and cooling do not extend to rooming houses. This inequity will further entrench housing inequity, widening the gap between the quality of housing made available to private rental tenants and rooming house residents. There is no reason for this differentiation. CHP advocates that all thermal comfort regulations, including draughtproofing and cooling, should be extended to rooming houses.