The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will hold a residential tenancies forum led by tribunal members experienced in hearing such cases.

While specific examples can’t be discussed nor legal advice given, the free event aims to guide people through the hearings procedure and offer tips on presenting a case.

Other topics will include advice for landlords applying to regain possession of rental premises and applying for compensation for damage or other reasons.

Housing officers, community support workers and people with rental, public housing, caravan park and rooming house issues are encouraged to attend.

Registration must be completed at vcat.vic.gov.au and questions for the panel can be submitted at this time.

The forum will be held on June 22 between 1pm and 4pm at The Cube, Wodonga.

Residential tenancies accounted for nearly 70 per cent of new applications to the tribunal in 2014-15, comprising 59,184 cases.

Laws introduced by the Victorian government this week will give VCAT new powers to deal with bad behaviour by guests in short-stay accommodation.

The tribunal will be able to award compensation of up to $2000 to neighbours and ban short stays in apartments repeatedly used for unruly parties.

Consumer Affairs Minister Jane Garrett said the government wanted to support the industry but also consider neighbours.

“These reforms will help residents to enjoy their homes by reducing disruption caused by some rogue short-stay visitors,” she said.

“This is a commonsense approach which protects residents’ rights and supports our booming shared economy which attracts tourists from all over the world.”

Airbnb’s Australian country manager Sam McDonagh said the accommodation website welcomed the government reforms.

“It represents fair and progressive rules that allow for home sharing across Victoria and deals with the rare, isolated incidents of people doing the wrong thing,” he said. 

Airbnb said it now had nearly 20,000 listings across Victoria, with more than half a million guests last year.