Inspections Policy

 

Purpose

This policy establishes the approach of Inner East Social Housing Group to fulfil its responsibilities to undertake property inspections.

 

Scope

This policy applies to all properties managed by Inner East Social Housing Group under all relevant programs.

 

The policy covers the following types of inspections:

• Prospective tenant inspections: where an applicant for housing is shown the premises prior to an offer for housing  being made (s86.1a)

• Follow up (new tenant) home visits: where a premises is inspected shortly after the commencement of a new tenancy (s86.1c) 

• Routine/planned/regular inspections: routine inspections that occur twice a year (s86.1f)

• Pre-exit tenant inspections: where the premises are inspected before the tenant has vacated the property (s86.2)

• Post-exit tenant inspections: where the premises are inspected after the tenant has vacated the property.

 

Communication

Inner East Social Housing Group will provide clear information to tenants on this policy, and will ensure this policy is readily available to tenants.  Should inspections result in Inner East Social Housing Group seeking to recover the costs for any damage caused by tenants, then tenants will be referred to the Tenant Damage Policy.

 

Approach to Inspection

Inspections will be undertaken at all Inner East Social Housing Group properties in accordance with the RTA. These inspections will inform Inner East Social Housing Group on the condition of the premises and therefore will inform the program of cyclical and responsive maintenance.

 

Inspections will ensure that Inner East Social Housing Group is meeting its responsibilities under the RTA to maintain properties in a good condition.

 

Tenants have a duty under the RTA to report all damage, defects, and any relevant property issues to their Inner East Social Housing Group for action. This is stipulated in the tenancy agreement and the RTA.

 

A tenant has a duty to permit Inner East Social Housing Group staff exercising a right of entry in accordance with Section 89 of the RTA. If access is not permitted, Inner East Social Housing Group will issue a Breach of Duty Notice.  Should the tenant still refuse to comply, Inner East Social Housing Group will apply to VCAT for a Compliance Order.

 

Purpose of Routine Inspections

All inspections will be conducted by Inner East Social Housing Group to:

• determine whether any urgent or routine repairs are required,

• ensure properties are being maintained to the standard outlined in the tenancy agreement,

• assess whether damage has been caused by a tenant and if so, assess whether this damage was intentional or accidental,

• assess whether the property continues to meet the needs of the tenant.

 

Where a tenant has requested any alterations, these will be checked during the inspection, taking into account:

• the requirements of the tenant,

• the cyclical maintenance due on the property,

• the condition and standard of the property.

 

When undertaking inspections, Inner East Social Housing Group will record the matters of concern to tenants, in addition to looking at all standard areas of property maintenance.

 

Support Workers

If the tenancy has a Support Agreement in place the support worker from that agency can be invited to attend the inspection.

 

Notice of Entry

Inner East Social Housing Group will give residents written notice, as per the tenancy agreement and RTA, before an inspection.

 

The notice will provide the following information:

• Why entry is required (i.e. to enable Inner East Social Housing Group to carry out a duty under the RTA, the tenancy agreement or any other part of the RTA including if Inner East Social Housing Group has reasonable grounds to believe that the tenant has failed to comply with his or her duties under the RTA or the tenancy agreement).

A notice of entry will be provided by:

• Post, or

• In person to the tenant between 8am and 6pm

 

For the purposes of carrying out a duty under the RTA, Inner East Social Housing Group is obliged to provide:

At least 24 hours

 

• To show the premises to a prospective renter, and

• If the premises are to be sold or used as security for a loan and entry is required to show the premises to a prospective buyer or lender:

At least 48 hours

 

• Entry is required to enable inspection of the premises and entry for that purpose has not been made within the last 6 months:

At least 7 days

 

Inner East Social Housing Group will only arrange to enter the premises between 8am and 5pm on any business day.

 

It is expected that the tenant will be present at the date and time agreed. Inner East Social Housing Group will enter the premises with a duplicate key to undertake the inspection if the tenant is not home.

 

Inner East Social Housing Group will send inspection notices using Australia Post standard mail, unless electronic communication has been agreed to by the tenant (for example, by email or text message).

 

Related policies

Allocations for long-term housing Policy

Eligibility for long-term housing Policy

General Regulations

Legislation and standards

 

This policy implements the obligations of Inner East Social Housing Group under:

• Residential Tenancies Act 1997

• Housing Act 1983 (Vic)

• Guidelines for Registered Housing Agencies published by DHHS

• Performance Standards for Registered Housing Agencies

Transparency and Accessibility

This policy will be available on the Inner East Social Housing Group website www.ieshg.com.au

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Review

This policy was reviewed in April 2021. It is scheduled for review by April 2024.