The Greens have announced plans to establish a dedicated taskforce aimed at cracking down on real estate malpractice and rental breaches across Tasmania.
The proposed Real Estate and Rental Standards Taskforce would follow similar models already operating in Victoria and New South Wales, with a focus on addressing issues such as minimum rental standards, rental bidding and false advertising.
Greens Housing spokesperson Vica Bayley revealed the $2.4 million initiative would take a proactive approach to enforcement.
“There is so much that needs to be done to fix the housing crisis. But cracking down on malpractice by real estate agents and on breaches of the state’s rentals laws is a simple measure that will make a real difference,” Bayley said.
The taskforce would conduct in-person inspections of advertised rental properties to ensure compliance with minimum standards, with the power to issue fines and pursue legal action in extreme cases.
“I frequently have people contacting my office sharing shocking stories about their experiences with real estate agents and rental properties,” Bayley said.
“People are often too afraid to make complaints because they’re afraid of losing their home, which is why a proactive approach is key.”
The Greens have pointed to successful implementations in other states, with Victoria’s equivalent taskforce issuing $620,000 in fines during its first year of operation.
New South Wales’ recently established taskforce has already returned $50,000 to renters within its first month.
The proposal targets five key areas: minimum standards for rental properties, rental bidding practices, false advertising, underquoting on sales, and illegal leases and notices.
