That figure compares to 1041 the previous year and 977 in 2019-20,which were years interrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns. In the first two months of this financial year there were 165 underquoting inquiries,the consumer regulator said.
The taskforce will monitor more sales campaigns,collect and analyse complaints from the public and have the ability to seize documents and data.
The Consumer Affairs Victoria taskforce will also undertake regular underquoting compliance activities like monitoring auctions.
Some industry players have questioned if the plan will be effective,as the government conducted a property market review which has not yet been made public.
Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne said current and additional CAV officers with experience as inspectors,investigators,information analysts and legal officers would be part of the new enforcement team.
“We’re cracking down on underquoting by real estate agents because it is not only unfair and wastes house hunters’ time and money at a time when every dollar counts – it’s also illegal,” Horne said.