Dodgy landlord register lists just 16 names after more than two years

PHOTO: For Lease. FILE

Advocates say blacklist meant to address power imbalance is not working and renters remain unaware of rights or fearful of retaliation

Victoria’s register of dodgy landlords has come under fire from advocates for only having 16 names on the list despite running for more than two years.

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In March 2021 the state government launched a database of rental providers who have broken an offence under the Tenancy Act, promising to even the playing field between renters and landlords.

The real estate industry has long used secret “tenancy databases”, which are kept by private companies who charge a fee to agents to list tenants or look up their rental history.

When the “landlord blacklist” was launched, the premier, Daniel Andrews, said it would help relieve the power imbalance, as private companies keep lists of tenants.