Landlords faced minimal consequences, renters struggled,
A report revealed that many landlords faced minimal accountability for maintaining their properties, leaving tenants in poor living conditions.
This negligence harmed both the health and financial wellbeing of renters, raising concerns about the lack of enforcement.
Anika Legal’s “Too Hot, Too Cold, Too Costly” report focused on renters in Victoria and their living standards.
It revealed that tenants were residing in poorly maintained homes, which were energy inefficient and difficult to improve.
Furthermore, renters faced significant barriers when attempting to have their homes properly maintained or upgraded to acceptable standards.
The pro-bono tenancy advocacy service based its report on the cases of 38 tenants seeking help with repairs.
Of these, only eight tenants had their repairs completed, and one of them had to pay for it.
Anika Legal’s chief executive, Noel Lim, emphasized the significant impact of these living conditions on renters’ lives.
He explained that renters often face extreme temperatures, forcing them to choose between debt and their family’s health.
“This is a choice no one should have to make,” Lim stated, highlighting the dire consequences of these conditions.
Multiple studies indicate that Australian homes are not built for energy efficiency or climate resilience, particularly for renters.
The report revealed that renters using Anika’s services often faced structural issues that reduced their homes’ energy efficiency.
These issues included holes in roofs, gaps in floorboards, draughty doors, and single-paned glass windows, all contributing to inefficiency.
Renters also faced difficulties getting landlords to repair essential systems such as air conditioners, heaters, and plumbing.
As a result, tenants experienced high utility bills with little action taken to address issues that could lower costs.
When renters assert their rights for repairs to meet minimum standards, landlords and agents often ignore or refuse requests.
Landlords faced few consequences, even when failing to meet their obligations, leaving tenants with limited options or recourse.
In 18 out of the 38 cases, tenants chose not to ask for repairs and decided to move instead.
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“They fear asserting their rights may result in unaffordable rent increases, leaving them without a home in this crisis.”
Lim explained that renters are reluctant to assert their rights, often choosing to move instead of fighting for repairs.
“When nearly half of renters make this choice, it’s a clear indication that the system isn’t functioning properly,” he said.
Jacob Caine, president of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, disagreed, stating agents were not part of the issue.
He emphasized that property managers in Victoria aim to be compliant, but resistance comes from the financial decisions made by owners.
Emma Bacon, executive director of Sweltering Cities, shared that her organization had observed similar concerns from renters statewide.
“Unfortunately, renters worry that pushing for repairs or cooling systems may affect their ability to stay in the property,” she explained.
She added that moving can be costly and lead to significant social disconnection, further complicating renters’ decisions.
Lim praised the recent state government action to increase penalties for landlords and agents advertising substandard properties.
However, he believes more action is necessary to shift the power dynamic away from investors and toward renters.
“We need to see this action followed through, along with public reporting of complaints to improve transparency,” Lim stressed.
This, he argued, would help renters gain confidence that landlords and agencies would be held accountable for maintaining standards.
He also called for a ban on rent increases where properties fail to meet minimum standards.
Additionally, Lim suggested that all landlords should certify their homes meet energy efficiency standards before advertising them.
Caine disagreed with further tightening requirements, arguing that increased interest in energy efficiency would naturally lead to market-driven solutions.
Richard Keech, an energy efficiency consultant with New Energy Thinking, supported the idea of a disclosure scheme or “rental roadworthy.”
He explained that this would ensure renters and buyers can easily identify properties with better energy performance.
“There should be a clear way for renters to understand the running costs of a home before committing to it,” Keech concluded.
