<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sweeping changes to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/housing" rel="" target="" title="rental"><span>rental</span></a><span> laws in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> will kick in next week, making it easier for prospective tenants.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Agencies and landlords will have to use a standard application form and it'll be tougher for them to hike the rent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Housemates Scarlett and Lou Mae have been in their Brunswick rental for a month but they'd been trying to secure one since the start of December.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-narelle-severe-storm-batters-western-australia-coastline/5f398dd7-33fb-4e2e-8226-79371f263552"><strong><span>'Scary' tropical cyclone leaves tourist town 'trashed' and cut off</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We applied for 10, 15 properties at least but we inspected maybe double that, even triple that," Scarlett Knight told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Some had lines of 100 people just to see the place."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A headache affecting up to a third of Victorians and prompting change from next week.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-rental-laws-state-government-announces-sweeping-changes/8a0659d3-4e09-4822-b213-2074148e4cde" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Firstly, rental providers and agents will be required to use a standard form for renting making it simpler and eliminating unnecessary, or even "strange", questions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"One application asked us for a profile photo which I feel like is also a bit strange, maybe a bit too personal," Knight said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Charges by rental apps and websites to store applicants' information will also be outlawed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And when you do finally secure a home, it'll be tougher for agencies to hike the rent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Some of those additional factors include the scale of the rent increase, as well as, that rent increase and the scale of it, compared to the current rate of inflation," Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The changes come with hefty penalties for those caught doing the wrong thing businesses can be fined more than $12,000, while individuals could be fine $2500.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It comes amid uncertainty about the real estate market for both renters and buyers, with calls to ensure support for landlords to avoid the risk of losing rental providers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 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