The purpose of the ‘Act for the House, not the Tenant’ Project is to target rental properties which are in a state of disrepair in order to encourage tenants to take enforcement action against the landlord.

The Project plans to approach tenants in around 20 properties, previously identified as substandard, over an 18 month period.

Footscray CLC would offer to assist the tenant in enforcing the repairs procedures in the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), and applying for compensation as appropriate.

The Project ultimately aims to document the outcome of repeated enforcement action against ‘repeat offender’ landlords.

The Bring Your Bills Program is an advocacy process that brings appropriate community, government and dispute resolution agencies together at a central location for one day for the purpose of assisting low income disadvantaged customers deal with problems arising out of the provision of energy, water and telecommunications services.

Other services and problems, such as housing could be added depending on community need. The program seeks to encourage low income and disadvantaged consumers to bring their contracts, statements and bills to the event without the need to identify a legal problem or dispute. The agencies in attendance will listen to clients, review their documents and assess their need for assistance.

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A session about how to challenge excessive rent increases. The session covered the tenants' rights and obligations under the residential tenancy agreement; the function and process of the Consumer, Trader & Tenancy tribunals; tips and strategies when attending the tribunal; tips on negotiating in the Conciliation room when dealing with an agent and/or landlord.

They also covered how to fill in an application to CTTT. All tenants had successful outcomes when disputing their increases at Tribunal.

Debt Self Help has a wealth of information and self help tools (including an online assessment tool) for people experiencing financial difficulty.

The site includes fact sheets (including a fact sheet on legal action), videos, links and a local service finder.

A video produced about getting your licence in WA and numerous common problems associated with driving laws. Target clientele is CALD and Indigenous.

The campaign informs people about the myths around pay day lending and encourages individuals and community organisations to take action. It is based on research findings that demonstrate that high cost loans exploit vulnerable consumers.

The campaign encourages submissions to the parliamentary inquiries considering proposed legislation that will cap the interest on payday loans.

The Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011 (the BIll) is being investigated by two committees; the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial and the Senate Economics Committee.

A talk to young people about how to return to work, an issue relevant to their age, background and experience.

The project is a law reform and legal policy project to advocate for better protection for consumers in relation to dealings with introductions agents, either by a legislative instrument and the use of standard form contracts, licensing, etc.

This interactive game explores a range of common legal issues through a variation of the traditional bingo format. Players match picture squares to their playing sheet while the facilitator explains each one, giving examples of problems that could arise and services available (see example playing sheet attached).

As with the traditional format, a player matching five squares in a row calls ‘Legal Lingo Bingo!’ and wins a small prize.

ECLC has run Legal Lingo Bingo at a range of recent CLE sessions including English as a Second Language classes, Indigenous communities, groups of young people and even our Centre AGM.

In meeting the needs of various communities, the contents of the playing sheet has been ...

Fact sheet with example Letter of Demand