By Belinda Nolan
CONSUMER Affairs Victoria has referred 16 rooming houses to Brimbank Council for investigation following a major blitz last month.
A team of 10 inspectors visited more than 50 venues over a 24-hour period in a major crackdown of the city’s rooming houses.
Although all rooming houses inspected passed Residential Tenancies Act guidelines, 16 were found to be operating unregistered.
Another premises was referred to the Department of Human Services after inspectors found a family with children living there.
The inspections were carried out on 21 October, following similar operations in Maribyrnong, Dandenong and Darebin.
The operation aimed to reinforce the responsibilities of rooming house operators and ensure vulnerable tenants were treated fairly.
Brimbank Council is also doing its bit to crack down on illegal and unsafe rooming houses.
Last year the council established The Brimbank Rooming House Action Group to ensure rooming houses are investigated and registered and to advocate for government funding for housing support.
Stephen Sully, the council’s general manager of city development said the 16 rooming houses identified would be checked to determine if they were legal.
Any failing to comply with regulations would be issued with a compliance order.
Anyone seeking advice about rooming houses can contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81 or visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au.
