If you agree with our points below, please fill in your details and hit send to deliver this to the Premier and the Department of Housing and Public Works about their proposed tenancy law changes. You will also receive a copy by email.




Are you a...
TenantProperty ownerProperty managerOther interested party

Will you allow the Department of Housing to publish your submission on their website?
YesNo

Which module is this submission relating to?
Renting with petsMinor ModificationsMinimum Housing StandardsDomestic and Family ViolenceEnding Tenancies Fairly

Do you agree with the recommended option/s presented in the Regulatory Impact Statement? If not, which option/s do you prefer?

Ending Tenancies Fairly
I strongly support the recommended option and the withdrawal of without ground notices to leave. I support the addition of the following reasonable grounds to end tenancies:

  • the lessor or their immediate family will move in;
  • the premises will need to be vacant for at least six weeks to undertake significant repair or renovation; and.
  • for renters experiencing domestic or family violence.


I do not support any other additional grounds.

I do not support any reduction of notice periods for termination notices by lessors.

I believe there should be penalties applied for the misuse of the lawful grounds to end tenancies, and the potential for renters to claim compensation.

Minimum Standards
I strongly support the recommended option, the inclusion of minimum standards for rental properties and the strengthened repair and maintenance proposals outlined in the Regulatory Impact Statement. In particular I support the new repair orders so they will:

  • apply to a premises not a tenancy,
  • stop a rental property being rented out and/or rent capped until a repair order is complied with,
  • allow the Residential Tenancies Authority to enforce the order and,
  • for advocates to be able to seek repair orders on behalf of renters.

Renting with Pets
I strongly support the recommended option that would require lessors to have a reasonable ground (prescribed by law) to deny a tenant’s request for a pet when it complies with other laws and by-laws prohibiting the pet/pet type.
In stage two, these reforms should go further to better support renters with pets during the application process.


I do not support
 a pet bond, because tenants already pay bonds. Any requirement for tenants to undertake carpet cleaning or pest control should only be related to the pet type. For example, flea control should be applicable for dogs and cats, but not goldfish.

Minor Modifications
I support the recommended option with some variation. Renters should have the ability to undertake health and safety or amenity minor modifications by providing prior notification to, but not agreement from, the lessor. A definition of minor modifications should be included in the changes; and qualified tradesperson used (only) when appropriate. If the lessor opposes the tenant’s minor modifications, it should be the responsibility of the lessor to use the dispute resolution process within a prescribed timeframe to challenge the issue.
A government fund should be established for low income renters who require health and safety modifications (e.g. grab rails) if they are required to restore the property on exit.

Domestic and Family Violence
I strong support the recommended option which allows a tenant or co-tenant experiencing domestic and family violence to end their tenancy more easily when they have evidence from specialist worker. I also support processes to help them get their bond back more quickly.



Are there any other options that should be considered?

Reversing the onus of proof for excessive rent increases i.e. over 20% of the CPI so lessors justify the increase rather than tenants having to challenge them.



Do the recommended option/s provide a balance between the rights of property owners and the rights of tenants?

Currently lessors may end tenancies without any grounds and the tenant may be subjected to retaliatory evictions. The fear of this happening undermines confidence in exercising other rights as a tenant. The proposals to have a reason in law to end a tenancy, and sanctions against their misuse, will provide greater balance between lessors and tenants.



What are the benefits to you if the recommended option/s are implemented?
You may consider factors such as health and wellbeing, financial and social impacts, and rights and responsibilities.

Safer homes; more stable tenancies which benefit tenants and lessors; an ability for renters to make a place their home; increased willingness for tenants to invest their time and money into their rental home e.g. making a garden; fewer animals being euthanised. Stable tenancies, steady income for lessors.



Are there any costs to you if the recommended option/s are implemented?
You may consider factors such as health and wellbeing, financial and social impacts, and rights and responsibilities.

Tenants should not have to pay additional bonds such as pet or restoration bonds, this unfair and will be barrier for those on low to moderate incomes. Tenants who enter a new tenancy and are resolving bond disputed bond claims on the previous property will have thousands of dollars caught up in bonds.



Are there any other factors relating to the proposed changes that have not been recognised or considered in the Regulatory Impact Statement? If so, what are they?


Is there anything else you want to tell us about the Regulatory Impact Statement?


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