A word from our CEO

We’ve entered a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic with the end of the extended Delta lockdown and with it many public health restrictions.

Risks remain, however, for hard-hit renters.

The latest data from VCAT confirms that ‘notices to vacate’ for rental arrears are mounting, with over 500 such notices being issued through the tribunal’s residential tenancies hub each week in October 2021.

Our annual report – out this week – sets out how demand for Tenants Victoria’s legal and information services was magnified beyond expectations in the past financial year.

Amid the welcome news of record high vaccination rates, we anticipate that renters’ need for our services will continue to be high as we move into ‘COVID normal’ – with a long recovery for people most severely impacted.

Take care and stay safe,

Jennifer Beveridge
CEO, Tenants Victoria

A year in tenancy

The pandemic hit home again for Victorian renters this year.

As renters experienced the introduction of new rental laws, the end to emergency COVID-19 rental protections and the pressures of the virus and public health restrictions as ‘Delta’ entered our pandemic vocabulary, the demand for our services was high once again.

Read about how we stepped up to challenging times, made a difference in the lives of renters and more in our Annual Report.

Possession order ruling on COVID-related arrears

A key decision made by the Supreme Court of Victoria, Court of Appeal, recently found that a possession order made by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for COVID-related overdue rent was not valid.

People facing eviction due to COVID-19 related rent arrears should take note of the decision.

If VCAT has made a possession order up to 25 October 2021 for you to move out because of overdue rent, and you were in arrears due to COVID-19, the order may not be valid. If this applies to you, we recommend you contact VCAT immediately as you may be able to stop VCAT from issuing a warrant that could be used to evict you or ask them to cancel a warrant that has already been issued. See our website for more information.

Stormy weather and repairs

The Bureau of Meteorology has just declared a La Nina weather event is now underway which means our wet and wild spring is set to continue to summer.

So what happens if a tree has fallen in a renter’s backyard and has yet to be cleared? Or the roof is leaking?

If a rented home has been damaged, causing an issue for health and safety, there is a process for getting urgent repairs done ASAP to fix the problem.

If you asked the agent or landlord for an urgent repair, but they told you that it can’t be done immediately, you can lodge an urgent-repair application with VCAT. It will hear your application within 2 business days. For more info, see Applying to VCAT on our website.

Remember, when it comes to health and safety, urgent is urgent!

Rent relief grant - there's still time

There’s still time to apply for the Victorian Government’s one-off rent relief grant of up to $1500 to help pay the rent.

Eligibility requirements include that renters have lost at least 20% of their income as a result of the pandemic, on or after 27 May 2021.

Public health restrictions are easing but the pressures of COVID-19 continue. Our just-released Annual Report reveals that COVID-19 inquiries were among the most common our client services team received, and the most visited advice pages on our website.

See our website for eligibility and information.