Tenancy Law: Maintenance, Repairs & Property Access

Build confident maintenance decisions that stand up to compliance, operational pressure and real-world housing practice..

Overview

Managing maintenance and property access in community housing often involves balancing legal obligations, operational pressures and renter engagement challenges. This practical workshop focuses on applying Victorian Residential Tenancies Act requirements to maintenance, repairs, property access and safety compliance activities. Through discussion, case studies and scenario-based learning, participants will explore compliant approaches to difficult situations, strengthen decision-making capability and develop practical strategies for managing access issues, safety checks and maintenance obligations with confidence and consistency.

Why this course matters

• Improve confidence in applying Residential Tenancies Act obligations in day-to-day housing practice

• Reduce risk associated with delayed repairs, missed safety checks and non-compliant entry processes

• Strengthen staff capability when managing difficult access situations

• Support defensible decision-making under operational and budget pressures

• Improve consistency in maintenance compliance practices across teams

• Reinforce renter-focused approaches while meeting legal obligations

What particpants will learn

• Applying Residential Tenancies Act requirements to maintenance and property access decisions

• Differences between urgent and non-urgent repairs in practice

• Entry notice requirements and lawful access processes

• Structured approaches for managing repeated no-contact situations

• Strategies for escalating access issues appropriately

• Responding to compliance obligations relating to safety checks and inspections

• Identifying compliant and non-compliant maintenance practices

• Practical decision-making frameworks for complex maintenance scenarios

Who should attend

• Housing Officers

• Tenancy Practitioners

• Asset and Property Officers

• Community housing workers

• Team Leaders

• Operations staff managing maintenance or compliance activities

Organisational benefits

• Improved compliance with Victorian Residential Tenancies Act obligations

• Reduced organisational risk relating to maintenance and property access practices

• Greater consistency in maintenance decision-making and escalation processes

• Improved documentation and evidence practices

• Stronger capability in managing compliance pressures and renter engagement challenges

What participants will receive

• Practical maintenance compliance frameworks

• Scenario-based learning activities and discussion tools

• Property access escalation planning resources

• Downloadable reference materials

Facilitator - Jason Perdriau

Jason is Deputy CEO at CHIA Vic.

Jason has fifteen years’ experience in the social housing sector which has included managing community and public housing programs and leading projects to support the growth and improvement of the social housing sector. Before working in social housing, Jason practised as a solicitor in the private and community sectors, and he has an MBA, Bachelor of Laws and Diploma of Social Housing.