Submission to the Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997: Regulation of Property Conditions in the Rental Market

While many rental properties across Victoria are well maintained and in relatively good condition, a significant minority fail to meet basic community standards. Often, these substandard properties place residents at risk of health problems or injury, result in them incurring unreasonably high energy costs for heating or cooling, fail to provide a secure living space, and/or fail to provide basic amenities for living, such as cooking facilities.

Fierce competition for access to rental properties, particularly at the cheaper end of the market, means that vulnerable tenants are effectively forced to accept substandard conditions that compromise their health and welfare.

Please note, this publication was published prior to CHP’s branding refresh in 2022.