In Victoria the landscape of housing law is undergoing profound change. As a legal practitioner advising tenants and property owners this reform phase calls for careful scrutiny. The new act passed in early March and assented to mid‑March will take effect in November next year. The core of the reform lies in enhancing rights for renters and introducing procedural safeguards that balance obligations for providers and regulators.
One of the most significant shifts is the abolition of no‑reason tenancy terminations. Landlords will now need valid grounds for eviction. This means that a tenant may safely request repairs or seek to keep a pet without fear of eviction in retaliation.
Related to this is the extension of notice periods. Notices to vacate or rental increases must now be issued ninety days in advance rather than sixty days, giving tenants additional time to seek alternative accommodation or contest proposed changes.
The reform also prohibits rental bidding and extra charges imposed by digital platforms or agents during application or payment processes. These measures are aimed at curbing hidden costs and unfair market practices that have burdened tenants for years.
From a solicitor’s perspective these changes require a rethink of how clients are advised. For tenants, knowing these rights is critical when negotiating leases or lodging disputes. For landlords and agents the reform requires policy updates and compliance checks. Property must meet minimum standards at the time of advertising, not only on lease start, and annual smoke alarm safety checks become mandatory. If these are omitted, penalties will apply. That creates a new layer of compliance risk for providers.
The creation of Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria reflects a structural shift in dispute management. For disputes that previously relied on the VCAT process, this new entity offers an alternative that is intended to be faster and more accessible. It is especially relevant for smaller claims and encourages resolution without the formal time burdens that many tenants find daunting.
Community legal advocates have welcomed this step as a long overdue reform. They emphasise that many renters do not pursue issues for fear of conflict or complexity at tribunals. Lawyers can now guide clients through a smoother dispute resolution pathway
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