The Renters Rights Rundown: Renting and family violence   

More than 130 changes to Victoria’s renting rules came into effect on 29 March 2021. 

A number of the changes make renting fairer and safer for people experiencing family violence, including:   

Better access to family violence protections.  
New minimum standards and the ability to make modifications to make homes more secure.  
Changes to VCAT processes and new VCAT powers.

The changes apply to all types of tenancies and provide protections from before signing a rental agreement until after the lease expires. 

VCOSS is holding an online sector briefing for workers wanting to learn about renting and family violence or to refresh your memory on renters’ rights under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.   

Justice Connect Homeless Law's Sally Kenyon and Courtney Wamala and Kim Hay from Safe and Equal will answer any questions you have on renters’ rights and supporting clients to navigate the system.

Questions can be submitted during the session or, if you already know what you'd like to ask, you can submit a question to the panel during registration.

This session is free and open to all, but designed for community sector workers who provide information, advice and assistance to renters who may be impacted by family violence.

Update on Auslan

Due to high demand, Victoria is experience a shortage of Auslan interpreters. VCOSS strives to ensure our events are inclusive to everyone and will do our best to secure Auslan interpreters on the day. To help us do this, if you require Auslan for this event, please RSVP as soon as possible so that we can work with Expression Australia to secure interpreters.

VCOSS is the peak representative body for Victoria’s social and community sector, and the state’s leading social advocacy organisation.

We work towards creating a Victoria that is fair, just and inclusive. A society where nobody is trapped by poverty, and everybody is supported to live a life of wellbeing.

You can learn more at vcoss.org.au and subscribe to our emails here.