Heather Holst

Victorian Commissioner for Residential Tenancies.

Advocating for the rights of renters.

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act come into effect today, expanding access to residential protections for Victorians with disability.

Learn more: https://t.co/DC8XquFCSJ

[Emeritus Professor Andrew Scott @ascottnlights]

More housing cooperatives: part of the answer to tackle Australia’s housing crisis? https://t.co/PfHU2CLq4f #auspol @_EverybodysHome #socialhousing @melina_bccm @SidselGrimstad @HeatherHolst

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Some things (like #auroras) can look better in photos than in real life. But overall you should not use photographs that give the wrong impression to promote a property.

We'll be making it easier to report misleading listings. Watch this space.

#AuroraAustralis #SouthernLights

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Consumer Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams & our Director, Nicole Rich, today launched our state-wide rental minimum standards campaign. They were joined by Ali Sherazee, who rents in Melbourne's east with his family. More about rental minimum standards: https://t.co/eG17C0cv5X

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Thinking about opening a rooming house, or converting a rental property into one? Different rules apply and you must fulfil specific obligations, including being licensed and your property meeting minimum standards. More: https://t.co/EDkBCB496Y

#MelbRE

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Renters: if you have concerns about damaged parts of your home that may contain asbestos, your rental provider must inspect them. If it's present, it's an urgent repair, which they must fix immediately.

Urgent repairs: https://t.co/LifY85zCd6
Asbestos: https://t.co/ER7f1GHccj

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Do you know the difference between co-renting and sub-renting? One key distinction is:

🏡 co-renters sign the rental agreement with equal responsibility
🏡 sub-renters don’t sign the rental agreement.

Understand your rights:
https://t.co/WlB96AZiiS
https://t.co/fQVyAVQENX

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

People affected by #VicFires & #VicStorms can find a range of helpful info at https://t.co/es33iWwBnx
It covers:
▪️ damaged or destroyed rental homes
▪️ insurance claims & arranging repairs
▪️ damaged cars
▪️ fake tradies & charity scams
▪️ & more
Also follow @vicemergency

[Housing for the Aged Action Group @HAAGHomeAtLast]

Are you a community service worker assisting an older person who lives in a residential park, lifestyle village, retirement village or caravan park? Do you want to find out more about this type of housing? Contact our Retirement Worker advice line 03 9654 7389

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Renters love their pets too! They’ve downloaded 100,000+ pet request forms from our website since March 2020. Renters can keep pets at a rental property with written permission and rental providers can't unreasonably refuse. Pet request form: https://t.co/ChUadbwkEq

#MelbRE

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Our Director, Nicole Rich, recently took part in a Q&A with REIV President Jacob Caine covering:
▪️ rental property management (rent rises, minimum standards)
▪️ underquoting
▪️ trust accounts.
Listen at https://t.co/zdSz9cpI7v
Our info for agents: https://t.co/aECSCU6FPQ
#MelbRE

[Heather Holst @HeatherHolst]

I am so relieved to see premature deaths of people who are homeless get serious, sensitive coverage by ⁦⁦@GuardianAus⁩. Once you see it properly you really can’t unsee it. The⁩ invisible Australians who die three decades prematurely https://t.co/udVIoMdB80

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

While rental providers can sell a property during a tenancy, rules apply about entering a renter’s home.

Rental providers or agents must give notice of intention to sell at least 14 days before any entry + compensate renters for each inspection✅

More: https://t.co/RDR8xKswKT

[Heather Holst @HeatherHolst]

From today's Australian newspaper about the next phase of work by the @Yoorrook Justice Commission. @AHV_org

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Have your say on reviews of:
▪️the Domestic Building Legal Service
▪️financial counselling services
▪️renter services.
Help shape the future design & delivery of these important services for vulnerable Victorians. To participate select ‘follow’ at https://t.co/x6giPbtzpJ

#MelbRE

[VCOSS @VCOSS]

If you are seeking to influence and shape government approaches to social challenges, you should absolutely come along to get in conversation with:

🏡Dr @HeatherHolst (Residential Tenancies)
🍎 @BuchananLiana (Children, Young people)
📢 Ro Allen (Human Rights)

[National Shelter @NationalShelter]

Read the 2023 National Shelter and SGS Economics and Planning Rental Affordability Index report and look at how your postcode fares for rental affordability on the interactive dashboard at https://t.co/OP4cIcIJcy

#RAI2023

[Sarah Toohey @sarah2he]

*insecure* renting ages you faster than unemployed or obesity.

Secure tenure in social housing is as good for you as home ownership!

[Consumer Affairs Victoria @consumervic]

Not-for-profit organisations that support renters and work to prevent homelessness are invited to express their interest in the new $2 million Rental Stress Support Package.

Read more: https://t.co/Ig2brB0JvY

#MelbRE

[Guardian Australia @GuardianAus]

High court rules First Nations tenants should get compensation over dilapidated remote housing https://t.co/8QRfE6Q16P