The Andrews Labor Government’s new laws to help stamp out bad behaviour in short-stay accommodation have passed Victorian Parliament.
The Owners Corporation Amendment (Short-stay Accommodation) Bill 2016 will mean apartment owners can now be liable for any damage, noise or loss of amenity caused by their guests.
VCAT has also been given new powers to award compensation of up to $2,000 to neighbours, and ban short-stay apartments that are repeatedly used for unruly parties.
Guests could face fines of up to $1100 for a range of conduct breaches, including
- creating unreasonable noise or behaving badly
- causing a health, safety or security hazard
- damaging common property
- obstructing a resident from the using their property.
Short-stay apartment owners may be ordered to pay neighbours’ compensation and any damage caused by their guests to common property.
The Labor Government acknowledges that the majority of short stay accommodation is used responsibly in Victoria. These reforms are designed to reduce the number of isolated incidents of bad behaviour.
The new laws will encourage short stay apartment owners to take more steps – such as bonds and screening practices – to ensure their apartments are not used for unruly parties.
In addition, Consumer Affairs Victoria will help conciliate in short-stay disputes that cannot be resolved through the owners corporations dispute resolution processes.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz
“These tough new laws will deliver essential protections that apartment residents deserve.”
“We’re regulating the short-stay sector to better protect Victorians and crack down on unruly behaviour in short-stay accommodation.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020