Consumer Affairs Victoria’s RentRight has been named the most accessible mainstream app by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), as part of its Apps for All Challenge.
The national awards recognise outstanding apps accessible to all Australians, including those with a disability and older people.
Acting Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Lisa Neville said the award recognised RentRight as an important tool for a mainstream audience.
The free app offers information, tools and templates to help tenants, landlords and property managers understand their rights and responsibilities in the rental market.
Consumer Affairs Victoria strives to develop innovative ways to educate and assist consumers through different channels, and recognises the increased use of smartphones and tablets to source information.
RentRight was developed to provide renters with clear and easy-to-understand advice on issues, such as ending a lease, getting your bond back, repairs and rental costs. Earlier this year, it was expanded to include information for landlords.
RentRight has been downloaded about 27,000 times and users have rated the app 4 out of 5 in the Google Play store, describing it as an efficient channel for communicating with their landlord.
During 2014-2015, Consumer Affairs Victoria received more than 73,000 renting related calls from tenants and landlords, down from about 90,000 in 2013-14 when the app was released.
RentRight’s features include:
- a rental calculator to add up the cost of weekly rent across a fortnight, calendar month, six-months or a year
- information on renting rights and responsibilities
- template emails to use for issues such as ending a lease or arranging repairs, including the ability to send photos.
RentRight also contains handy templates that make it easier to correspond with landlords or real estate agents about repairs, rent and inspections.
Ms Neville encouraged Victorians to download the free renting app before signing a new rental agreement from Google Play or the iTunes store.
Quotes to be attributed to the Acting Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Lisa Neville
“I congratulate Consumer Affairs Victoria on this award, recognising RentRight as an innovative and easy-to-use tool to help consumers navigate the rental process.”
“RentRight makes it easier to stay in touch with your landlord or property manager and resolve issues quickly. It helps make tenancies as smooth as possible for renters and landlords.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021