SECRET real estate databases used to screen potential renters will be made
accessible to the public next month.
Tenants will be able to update and change their records under privacy
legislation, which comes into force on December 21.
From unpaid rent to property damage, the databases or "black lists" record
complaints made by real estate agents.
Tenants Union of Victoria chief executive Mark O'Brien said the databases
could be used to unfairly bar tenants from renting any properties.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5584283%255E2862,00.html
For about $10, an agent can phone a database service to trace a person's
rental history.
There are about six databases in Victoria that list the details of more
than 700,000 tenants across Australia.
Federal privacy commissioner Malcolm Crompton said the new legislation
would give tenants the chance to clear up their personal information on the
databases.
"Sometimes it seems that the information on these databases is clear and
unequivocal, but sometimes it seems that claims entered on the database are
vague," Mr Crompton said.
"It becomes, allegedly, a bit of a whispers campaign. This Privacy Act does
nothing more than give all parties a fair go."
Mr O'Brien, from the tenants union, said the phrase "refer to agent" was
often listed in individuals' records, so that agents could privately
discuss tenants.
He said the new laws should regulate databases so that all information was
disclosed on the lists.
Officer settles stress lawsuit
30 November 2002
A POLICE negotiator who claims he suffered stress after a kindergarten
siege has settled his civil action out of court.
Hospital error put policeman at risk
30 November 2002
THE safety of a policeman was put at risk when a Melbourne hospital
mistakenly sent his personal details to the home of a convicted killer.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/sectionindex1/0,5442,victorian+news^^TEXT,00.html
