Living standard struggles

Victoria was a single rooming house resident renting in Melbourne’s Southeast, reliant on government benefits as her sole income. Victoria had been living at the premises for the past six years, she was often subjected to notices to vacate, when she tried to exercise her rights to address the conditions of the rooming house. These proceedings were all unsuccessful with VCAT dismissing the applications.

On a visit to the rooming house, Victoria raised concerns with the workers about maintenance issues, including mould and non-functioning appliances as well as the general rooming house standards. Along with serving notice for the outstanding repairs the team requested a visit from the local council to assess whether the house met the minimum rooming house standards under the regulations.

With the assistance of PCLC’s RHOP, the operator subsequently addressed the maintenance issues.