By Goya Dmytryshchak
The number of households renting are growing faster than new owner occupiers in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong, according to the latest Census, as tenant and landlord bodies tussle over a review of Victoria’s renting laws.
The state government is reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act, with possible changes to include restricting rent rises to once a year and banning no-pet clauses.
Between 2006 to 2016, the number of renting households in Maribyrnong rose by 4381 to 13,542. In the same period, new owner occupiers rose by 1806 to 15,887.
In Hobsons Bay, renting households rose by 1734 to 9595, while owner occupiers increased by 497 to 21,860.
Tenants Union of Victoria chief executive Mark O’Brien said protections for renters should be strengthened as Melbourne moves from a community of home owners to one where between 1-in-3 to 1-in-2 people rent.
The union opposes bans on pets and tenants being evicted for repeated late rent, and supports tenants being able to make modifications without landlord consent.
“The existing bond that tenants pay also covers damage caused by pets,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Tenants Union of Victoria believes existing penalties for late rent are sufficient and that evicting people for being as little as one day late with payments would be unfair.
“Tenants should be able to make minor non-structural changes to their homes without a landlord’s permission.”
Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive Gil King said given the damage pets can cause, landlords should have the right to consent to pets and charge a pet bond.
He said it was imperative that property owners retain the right to terminate a lease agreement for rent in arrears and the REIV strongly opposed tenants making property modifications without consent.
“More than 99 per cent of respondents in a survey of more than 3000 landlords and 200 property managers do not support tenants having the right to make modifications without landlord consent,” Mr King said.
“Any future legislation needs to adequately balance the rights of both parties – not just tenants.”
