Wednesday, 1 April 2026

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (12:51): (2283) My constituency question is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. My constituent Helena, who rents in Brunswick, showers with a bucket and uses the old outside toilet because of drainage issues. In her last two rentals Helena raised maintenance issues and asserted her rights, and twice she ended up with bogus notices to vacate. Helena knows her rights as a renter. She also knows there is little enforcement and there are retaliatory evictions. She does not want to have to move again, so she keeps quiet. Eighty per cent of Victorian renters avoid asking for basic repairs and maintenance for fear of retaliation. Over 52 per cent of renters state their homes fail to meet minimum standards. There needs to be genuine enforcement or nothing will change. Minister, will you introduce a licensing scheme for landlords with penalties for failing to meet minimum standards or carry out repairs?