Message from the CEO
Welcome to the Summer edition of the WPI Times. As the end of 2025 approaches, we wish you a safe and happy festive season. We have provided some information about processes and procedures during the break. Please familiarise yourself with this in case you need assistance during this time.
If you need help before the closure period, please reach out well in advance so we can support you. If you have support workers or services involved with your household, it may help to check in with them too to see what their closure period is.
In this edition you can read updates on new rental reforms, new safety standards for blinds, our Good Neighbour Award winners and hear about WPI's representative in the Pets at Our Place calendar.
I would like to thank the renters who responded with their interest in engaging with WPI to establish a new Renter Advisory Panel. We will be kicking this off in the New Year by engaging a facilitator with lived experience expertise to assist the development of a Terms of Reference. If you responded with your interest, before the end of the year you will receive an email with further information about the next steps.
We hope you get time for some rest and relaxation during the break. Thanks for the care that you show your neighbours and your homes throughout the year.
Warm regards
Roberta
End of Year Office Closure
Our office will be closed from 2.00pm on 24.12.25 and will reopen on 2.1.26. Calls and emails will not be monitored during this time. If you leave us a message, we will respond to you when the office reopens on 2 January.
If you already have appointments or planned works booked, these will continue unless you have been advised otherwise.
After Hours Maintenance
If you have an urgent need for maintenance while our office is closed, please call Valley Maintenance on 1800 088 106. This service covers serious issues that cannot wait. For example:
- burst water service
- blocked or broken toilet system
- serious roof leak
- gas leak
- dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm or fire damage
- an essential service or appliance for hot water, water, cooking, heating, or laundry is not working
- the gas, electricity or water supply is not working
- a cooling appliance or service provided by the rental provider is not working
- the property does not meet minimum standards
- a safety-related device, such as a smoke alarm or pool fence, is not working
- a malfunctioning appliance, fitting or fixture causing a lot of water to be wasted
- any fault or damage in the property that makes it unsafe or insecure, including pests, mould or damp caused by or related to the building structure
- a serious problem with a lift or staircase.
If the issue is not urgent, please report it through our usual channels and we will pick it up when we return. This helps make sure the after hours line is free for emergencies.
Blind Cord Safety
A new safety standard for blind cords has come into effect. We have been checking blind cords at our tenancy inspections, and most properties do not require any change.
Your blind chains or cords should be secured by either a cord guide or a cord cleat.
If your cords are not secured like the pictures above, please contact your Tenancy and Property Manager as soon as possible via enquiries@wpi.org.au.
Pets At Our Place Calendar
One of our renters, Zora, appears in the Pets in Our Place calendar, featuring social housing renters from around Melbourne and their very special pets.
Zora and her Brittany Spaniel, Bobi are inseparable. " Bobi is so funny. He's such a character, really an icon. We help each other out. When I come home, I sit on the couch and Bobi runs and jumps to sit on me, with his arms on either side of my head to give me a big hug."
Our Tenancy and Property Manager, Mandi, was at the photo shoot and was so excited for Zora.
If you would like a copy of the calendar please email enquiries@wpi.org.au. (Limited quantity available)
Pictured: Zora and Bobi and Mandi and Bobi
Good Neighbour Awards
Congratulations to Melynda, Vanessa and Philippa who were recognised with WPI's first Good Neighbour Awards.
We congratulate all three winners who were nominated by their neighbours for their efforts to make their communities a better place to live and work. Our three winners received a $200 prepaid visa gift card.
There were a lot of great nominations and it was difficult to select winners. We will hold these awards again next year, so you will have another chance to nominated one of your neighbours.
Pictured: Melynda with neighbours Wendy and Eileen.
New Rental Reforms
New rental rules started on 25 November 2025. Most were brought in to fix issues in the private market, but a few also affect community housing. Here are the parts that matter for you.
Rent increases
- You now must get at least 90 days notice before a market rent increase (previously this was 60 days).
- If your rent is income based, there is no change in the timeframes.
- If you ask Consumer Affairs Victoria to check a market rent increase, they will look at more than just the price of similar homes. They will also look at how big the increase is, whether any upgrades have been done, and whether there are repairs still waiting to be fixed
Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV)
RDRV is a new free service inside Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that helps renters and housing providers sort out problems early, without needing a full hearing at VCAT.
It handles common issues like:
- bond disputes
- repairs
- rent increases
- compensation claims
How it works:
You lodge a dispute through the RDRV process.
A staff member looks at the issue and decides the best way to resolve it.
Instead of going straight to a hearing, RDRV uses tools like mediation, conciliation or a short meeting between both sides to try to sort things out.
If the problem can be fixed through RDRV, the agreement is recorded and the matter ends there.
If it cant be sorted out, the issue gets passed on for a VCAT hearing.
The aim is to fix problems faster and with less stress for everyone involved.
Split System Filter Cleaning
Warmer weather is here, so it is a good time to give your air con filters a clean. This helps the unit run well and keeps the air clearer. Here is a simple way to do it:
- Turn the unit off at the wall.
- Open the front cover and remove the filters.
- Rinse them with warm water.
- Let them dry fully.
- Put them back in place.
- If you are unsure how to remove the filters for your model, most units have a small label inside the cover that shows where they slide out.
