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Program Focus:
The Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program (TAAP) helps renters in private rental accommodation by providing them with information on their rights and responsibilities in accordance with the Residential
Tenancies Act 1997 as well as negotiating and advocating on behalf of private renters to assist them to resolve disputes.
Services are provided over the phone and face to face in the community.
The TAAP Program does not provide assistance with legal matters. For legal advice it is requested that you contact a legal practitioner.
What services does the Program provide?
Private rental incorporates renters living in agent managed and direct Rental Provider managed properties, as well as Caravan Parks, and Rooming Houses. The services available through the program are as follows:
Information Assistance
Assisting tenants with information when they are experiencing issues with their current or former Rental Providers, as well as reviewing and explaining documents and providing private rental tenants with information on rights and processes.
Dispute Resolution Support
Liaising direct with current and former Rental Providers, either verbally and / or in written form, including responding to or initiating VCAT processes, and attempting to reach partial or full resolutions where matters have no VCAT connection or prior to or at VCAT proceedings.
The TAAP program provides assistance and advocacy at VCAT hearings where they may either be the respondent or the applicant to a particular matter.
How are tenants referred to the TAAP Program?
- Formal referral via an external Agency/Support Provider.
- Formal referral via the Tenancy Central Service. (Tenants Victoria)
- Formal referral via Consumer Affairs Victoria.
- Self-referral by the tenant directly
- Informal referral from the VCAT member via the Duty Clerk.
Who is eligible to be referred to the Tenancy Assistance & Advocacy Program?
To be eligible for TAAP services, renters must be in private rental, and either be financially disadvantaged or victims of family violence.
Financial disadvantage criteria:
- No income.
- Main source of income is Centrelink or income is insufficient to sustain their personal commitments, and they have defaulted on payment of rent, utility bills or other personal debts.
- No financial hardship or family violence – eligible for one hour of assistance.
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The TAAP program is able to be approached in relation to the following matters :
- Rent arrears
- Non- urgent and urgent repairs.
- Lease break matters.
- Rent increases.
- Lease transfer matters.
- Tenancy agreement matters.
- Assistance with Notices to Vacate for issues other than rent arrears, such as property to sold, the Rental Provider or their dependents to move in, repairs and renovations, demolition, end of a fixed term lease agreement, change of use of premises and other matters where a Renter may be served with a Notice to Vacate.
- Breaches of residential law by either a Renter or a Rental Provider including assisting Renters with applications for restraining orders.
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Catchment areas include.
- City of Greater Geelong
- Surf Coast Shire.
- Colac Otway Shire.
- Queenscliff Borough Council
Contact details:
Cultura, 25 – 41 Arunga Avenue Norlane 3214
P 1800 512 341
Direct to the TAAP Worker Matthew Smith
on 0437 471 529.
