Media release: Victorians deserve a better deal on rental housing
Minimum standards to ensure all Victorian rental properties are safe, healthy and affordable to live in are urgently needed, said Victoria’s state-wide telephone and web financial counselling service, MoneyHelp, today.
MoneyHelp was responding to the campaign launched today by the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) urging decent, not dodgy housing for Victorian renters, after VCOSS found 1 in 10 rental properties in Victoria are unfit for human habitation.
The MoneyHelp service is managed by consumer law and advocacy organisation Consumer Action Law Centre. Consumer Action CEO Carolyn Bond said many Victorians in housing stress have been approaching MoneyHelp for assistance with financial problems.
‘Last month a third of our callers to MoneyHelp seeking advice were renters, and two thirds of these renters were in housing stress – they were struggling to pay more than 30% of their income just for rent or were already behind in their rent,’ says Ms Bond.
‘While these renters are often struggling to pay for their housing, they are not necessarily getting a good deal for that money.’
Ms Bond said the MoneyHelp financial counsellors had come across many problems stemming from poor quality rental housing that were contributing to people’s money woes.
‘Renters coming to us for financial advice have been living in housing with no or poor insulation, in housing with only one small space heater inappropriate for heating the whole house or in old flats with hardwired expensive heaters. We have also seen renters living in properties with only expensive day-rate hot water heaters.
‘Some callers have even found MoneyHelp after a direct referral for financial advice by their electricity or gas company because they are struggling to afford their utility bills.’
The MoneyHelp service is supported by the Victorian Government to provide free, confidential and independent financial advice to Victorians affected by the global economic downturn.
Victorians can visit www.moneyhelp.org.au or call the MoneyHelp help line on 1800 007 007 to speak to one of our trained financial counsellors.
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