Introduced by the Allan Labor Government earlier this year, the CAV Renting Taskforce aims to improve the rental experience for both renters and landlords in Victoria by enforcing over 130 rental reforms implemented in 2021. This initiative forms part of the state government’s commitment to overhauling the rental market and increasing protections for renters.

While this taskforce has raised concerns for some property owners, it’s important to note that the legislation being enforced is not new and has been in place for some time. Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gabrielle Williams, highlighted this point during the taskforce’s launch.

“It’s been almost three years since our landmark package of over 130 rental reforms took effect, and today we are making the rental market fairer for everyone by establishing the Renting Taskforce,” said Williams.

The primary goal of the CAV Renting Taskforce is to ensure Victoria’s rental market remains sustainable and balanced.

According to CAV, the taskforce is not designed to needlessly pursue aggressive punitive measures.

Williams stressed that both CAV and the taskforce recognise that most property owners and managers already comply with the legislation.

“Most rental providers and estate agents do the right thing – today’s announcement is about sending a clear message to those trying to get away with rental offences,” said Williams.

While many property owners and managers have focused on meeting the minimum standards, the taskforce’s objective is to address all breaches of the regulations. Offences under investigation include false advertising, engaging in rent bidding, renting properties that don’t meet minimum standards, and failing to lodge bonds.

Barry Plant’s Group Head of Property Management has seen firsthand how the legislation has impacted property owners and managers. Speaking on the Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s podcast, Real Estate Matters, she noted the confusion some in the industry still face regarding the new regulations, the interpretation of the legislation, and the taskforce.

“Honestly, I think there’s still a bit of confusion out there. I handle due diligence for many independent real estate agencies, and since 2021, I’ve been consistently surprised by how little some of those agencies know about the legislation.”

“When the taskforce was announced, people focused on the minimum standards and overlooked important rules around false advertising, bond lodgement, and other key areas. That’s where being part of a larger group like Barry Plant has its advantages—access to additional training, professional insights, and direct information channels ensures you’re better equipped to navigate these challenges.”

Nicole Rich, Executive Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, also appeared on the Real Estate Matters podcast and reiterated that the taskforce is not intended to ‘catch out’ landlords operating in good faith. Instead, Rich emphasised that they take a preventative approach to avoid punitive action wherever possible.

“Our key focus is to get the properties up to a standard that Victorians can live in. So we do engage with the estate agents or rental providers at that [early] stage and we encourage rectification and we tend to have a pretty good . . . result when we do that. If people don’t comply . . .that’s a breach of the law. And the government’s been pretty clear that they want a zero-tolerance approach to breaches and we’ve absolutely taken that to heart,” said Rich.

While the new taskforce may seem daunting for some property owners, staying informed and proactive is the best way to stay compliant with legislation. Many owners are feeling the pain of increased costs to meet minimum standards, conduct essential safety checks, and maintain their properties. Although these short-term expenses can hurt, it’s important to note that many are tax deductible, and the capital gains from long-term investments typically far exceed these expenses.

If you need advice regarding compliance with the minimum standards, the CAV taskforce, or maximising the return on your investment property, Barry Plant’s extensive network of property managers is here to assist. We look forward to helping you.