Renters to have more rights under possible changes

Possible changes to the Residential Tenancies Act include leases of more than five years, banning rental bids, restricting rent rises to once a year and banning no-pet clauses.

Family violence victims may be able to challenge notices to vacate stemming from the perpetrator's behaviour, while eviction notices may need supporting evidence.

Tenants could need landlord consent before listing a property on Airbnb or similar sites

Other options include minimum health and safety standards for rental properties and incentives for landlords to make repairs quickly, such as restrictions on charging market rent.

A new mediation service with powers to make binding decisions could be introduced under possible changes.

Acting Consumer Affairs Minister Lily D'Ambrosio​ said renters and landlords were being urged to have their say.

"We're overhauling rental rules so that renters are protected and the laws guiding landlords are up to date," she said.

"We're making sure laws around renting strike a fair balance between the rights of people who live in a rental property and the people they rent those properties from."

Tenants Union of Victoria policy officer Yaelle Caspi​ welcomed the government review.

"The rental market has changed significantly with more than one million individuals and families now renting long term," she said.

"We need rental laws that reflect this change, and that give tenants choice, certainty and control over their housing.

"The government needs to make renting fair so that all Victorians have the same rights to safe and secure housing."

The government said the possible changes had been developed from 331 written responses to the Fairer Safer Housing discussion papers and 3500 contributions to forums and quick polls.

Submissions to the Fairer Safer Housing paper can be made by February 10 at fairersaferhousing.vic.gov.au/renting