The Victorian Greens have said until Labor makes unlimited rent rises illegal by introducing rent controls, renters will continue to avoid asking for basic repairs and live in substandard, expensive, insecure homes.
A new report by the Consumer Policy Research Centre - Renting in Reality - has revealed that 79 per cent of Victorian renters experienced a major rental issue in the past year, yet only half lodged a complaint due to fears of retaliation from landlords.
It also found more than two-thirds of renters believed their homes didn't meet minimum rental standards.
The Greens say the report lays bare the need for stronger renters rights, and that while Labor refuses to protect renters from huge rent hikes, renters across the state will be too afraid to speak up about any issues.
As stated by Victorian Greens housing spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri MP:
"Retaliatory rent rises are all too common. Is it any wonder renters aren't speaking up about serious rental issues, when landlords have the power to hike rents as much as they want?
"The rental crisis is breaking people. Renters are living in too much insecurity and fear to even ask for basic repairs when they know one more rent hike will force them out of their home.
"A massive rent hike may as well be an eviction notice, and while unlimited rent increases are still legal, everything else is just tinkering around the edges of the rental crisis.
"We can make unlimited rent increases illegal today - just like they are in the ACT, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and other countries around the world.
"Labor just needs to stop ignoring renters and act."
