Victoria’s expanded rent bidding ban sparks concerns over enforcement and effectiveness

Experts have warned the extended ban on rent bidding could prompt landlords to raise advertised prices – and will be difficult to regulate. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

An Australian-first ban on rent bidding that extends to prospective tenants could inadvertently cause Victorian landlords to raise prices, the peak real estate industry body says, as advocates call for stronger enforcement.

But the premier, Daniel Andrews, rejected “doomsday predictions” concerning the rental reforms and described the changes to Guardian Australia as “fair”.