Rental properties in the St Kilda area were visited by our Consumer Affairs renting taskforce at the weekend to check if they meet minimum standards.
The taskforce targeted properties open for inspection in its first blitz for 2025, following operations in Footscray, Werribee, Fitzroy and Clayton last year. There will be more targeted blitzes throughout 2025.
The inspections check whether minimum standard laws are understood, with inspectors checking that properties advertised for rent are safe, secure and fit for renters to move into.
Victoria’s 14 rental minimum standards cover aspects of properties people would reasonably expect in a home, like structural soundness, a functional kitchen and secure windows and doors.
Letting a new renter move into a property that doesn’t meet the minimum standards is an offence, with maximum penalties of more than $11,000 for individuals and more than $59,000 for companies.
As well as regular blitzes, the Renting Taskforce uses intelligence and market analysis to monitor rental campaigns, do targeted inspections and act on breaches they’ve identified.
The taskforce has issued over 55 fines totalling more than $540,000 for breaches of rental laws, including advertising properties without a fixed price, failing to meet minimum standards and not lodging bonds.
If you see a rental property advertised that you don’t think meets the minimum standards or doesn’t look like its marketing, you can report it anonymously through our online form.
Learn more about the renting taskforce.