Media Release
The Real Estate Institute of Victoria Ltd
Telephone (03) 9205 6666
ABN 81 004 210 897
Friday 30 October 2009
Rooming House changes welcome
The REIV has welcomed the State Government’s positive response to the Rooming House
Standards Taskforce.
REIV Policy, Communication and Research Manager Robert Larocca said that once
implemented the 32 recommendations would improve the standards in rooming houses.
“The taskforce’s recommendations are designed to get to the root of the problem, they will
ensure that Government can find each rooming house, know who the operators are, ensure
they are operated according to the law and take action when they are not.
“The REIV particularly welcomes the inclusion of measures to tackle the supply problem, as
in many ways the reason that unscrupulous operators have been able to charge high rents
for poor accommodation is that Melbourne has a shortage of rental accommodation.
“The vacancy rate for rental homes is currently 1.3 per cent, well below the preferred level of
3 per cent.
“The establishment of a community based alternative to privately run rooming houses is a
particularly good idea as it will help provide options to high cost and low quality
accommodation.
“The Institute also welcomes steps taken to consolidate all the legislative requirements into
the Residential Tenancies Act as it will make it easier to comply with the law.
“The recommendations that apply to the real estate profession are common sense and the
Institute will work with the Government on their implementation,” Mr Larocca concluded.
MEDIA COMMENT:
Robert Larocca, 0409 198 350
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