Renters in Victoria who are battling their landlord over repairs, damage, bond claims or rental increases will be able to turn to a free, public dispute resolution service.
The state government announcement is the latest in a week-long housing policy spree as it tries to ease voter anger over the national housing crisis.
A new service called Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria will be available to renters on the phone, online or in person from mid-2025, the state government says.
Consumer Affairs Minister Gabrielle William said service would sit in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and refer complaints to Consumer Affairs Victoria for compliance and enforcement action.
Legislation to make service orders binding will be introduced in November.
Tenants Victoria CEO Jennifer Beveridge said the new service would improve responses to disputes, "avoiding long waits and unnecessary costs".
“Renters need to be able to resolve rental disputes quickly and fairly when they arise,” she said on Saturday.
But the Victorian Greens accused the government of repackaging the policy, which they say was introduced more than a year ago and funded through legislation supported by the Greens several months ago.
"After a week of announcing handouts for developers and investors, the best Labor could do for renters is recycle an old announcement," Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri said.
"Until unlimited rent rises are illegal, landlords will still have the power to hike up the rent as much as they like and force renters out of their home."
The minister also announced a new portable bonds scheme through which renters will be able to transfer their previous bond to a new property.
The Allan government has unveiled a series of plans for the housing sector over six days, including an overhaul of developer infrastructure contributions, temporarily extending stamp duty concessions for off-the-plan apartments, and increasing density in some of Melbourne's most affluent suburbs.
When asked this week if the Liberals would abolish stamp duty for first homebuyers, Opposition Leader John Pesutto indicated the coalition would make its own housing-related tax announcements in 2025.
