Elsie Lange
It’s been a year since renters across Victoria, like those in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, have lived with 130 reforms introduced by the state government to make renting easier.
Since last year, renters have been able to keep their pets in their homes without written consent from rental providers and the new pet request form has been downloaded more than 70,000 times since the introduction of the laws.
The reforms also streamlined the process for reclaiming bond money, with renters applying directly to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA).
More than 12,000 bond claims have been made since March 29, 2021, with more than half paid out directly to renters.
Amending properties became easier as well, where renters could make minor changes including hanging picture hooks, installing shelving and repainting walls without seeking permission.
Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne said renters deserve to feel like their house is their home.
“In the past year these important reforms have made that even more possible for the millions of Victorians who are living in a rental property,” Ms Horne said.
“These changes have strengthened renters’ rights and better protected vulnerable renters, while also clarifying responsibilities and improving many of the outdated processes involved in the rental process for both tenants and landlords.”
