Legal Help for Disability Adjustments in Victoria

As a renter in Victoria navigating the need for disability access and reasonable adjustments, it's crucial to understand your rights and the legal avenues available to you. This guide will assist you in navigating these waters, ensuring you can comfortably and safely reside in your rented home.

Understanding Disability Access Rights in Victoria

In Victoria, the Disability Act 2006 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 protect the rights of tenants requiring disability access or adjustments. These laws mandate that landlords must accommodate reasonable requests for modifications that will enhance accessibility for tenants with disabilities.

What Counts as a Reasonable Adjustment?

• Installation of ramps or handrails
• Widening doorways to enable wheelchair access
• Adjusting kitchen or bathroom fixtures for better reach

Such changes should not impose undue hardship on the landlord nor significantly alter the property's nature.

How to Request Adjustments

Tenants should communicate their needs in writing to the landlord, explaining the necessity of the adjustments and providing any supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate, if required. Ensure you document all correspondences for future reference.

Filing a Request with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)

If a landlord refuses to accommodate a reasonable request, renters can seek assistance from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). VCAT provides a platform to dispute issues such as unresolved disability access modifications.

Action Steps for Renters

Here's how you can navigate the process of requesting disability access modifications:

1. Document Your Need: Gather any documentation that supports your need for adjustments.
2. Submit a Written Request: Write to your landlord, outlining your request with any supporting documents.
3. Seek Mediation: If your request is denied, attempt to mediate the issue with the help of the Consumer Affairs Victoria.
4. Apply to VCAT: If mediation fails, consider applying to VCAT for resolution.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Consumer Affairs Victoria - Offers advice and dispute resolution services.
• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) - Resolves disputes between renters and landlords.
• Victoria Legal Aid - Provides free legal advice and resources.

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1. What is a reasonable adjustment? Reasonable adjustments are modifications to a property to improve accessibility for renters with disabilities, like installing ramps or accessible bathrooms.
2. Can a landlord refuse legal access requests? Landlords must comply with reasonable requests under the Disability Act 2006 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 unless it causes undue hardship.
3. How can I take action if my request is denied? If denied, you can apply to the VCAT for dispute resolution after attempting mediation through Consumer Affairs Victoria.

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Footnotes:

1. Disability Act 2006
2. Residential Tenancies Act 1997

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