Solving problems with your house and home

Mould and damp

Mould in your rental property? What legal steps can you take, and who can you contact for assistance?

Tenants in Victoria have legal rights to a mould-free living environment. If your landlord fails to address a mould issue, you can take legal steps to compel them to remove it and address the underlying cause.

This can include making a complaint to VCAT and seeking compensation for damages or health effects.

There are a range of organisations to help you deal with mould and damp:

• Tenants Victoria
• Consumer Affairs Victoria
• Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT)

Dealing with a difficult landlord

There are legal protections for tenants who have difficult land lords. Under Victorian law, landlords are required to comply with certain obligations, such as maintaining the property in a reasonable state of repairand ensuring tenants have quiet enjoyment of the property.

If communication with a landlord fails, tenants can seek legal help to resolve the dispute, which can include orders for repairs or maintenance and compensation for damages.

There are a range of organisations available to help you deal with a difficult landlord:

• Tenants Victoria
• Consumer Affairs Victoria
• Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT)

Managing debt and mortgage stress

There are a number of agencies which can offer advice and help if you’re dealing with debt and/or mortgage stress.

Organisations can assist with issues including Centrelink debt waivers and debt recovery issues, management of debts from consumer goods, and options for homeowners who are finding it difficult to meet their mortgage payments.

There are a range of organisations available to help you manage debt and mortgage stress:

• Mortgage Stress Victoria
• Consumer Affairs Victoria
• ‍Social Security Rights Victoria

Many problems in our lives can have legal answers

Victorian Law Week – May 15-21 – helps Victorians find legal answers to everyday problems, get legal help and learn more about the law.

Victoria Law Foundation Executive Director Lynne Haultain said with more than 200 in-person and online events taking place across Victoria, Victorian Law Week makes learning about the law easy.

“Victorian Law Week is an opportunity to identify where the law can help you solve problems with your home,” she said.

Events and activities are run by a range of legal, community and government organisations, with the program managed by Victoria Law Foundation.

Whether it’s a webinar to help navigate contract issues, delays, disputes and claims, an in-person session to help you use the law to make your home mould free, or a discussion on lodging public housing complaints, there’s an event that could help you.