Overwhelming Response to Renting Consultation

In just two and a half weeks, more than 29,000 Queenslanders have had their say on renting a place to live in our state.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni today told Parliament the response to the Palaszczuk Government’s Open Doors to Renting Reform consultation had to date been overwhelming.

“So far, we’ve listened to the views of thousands of Queenslanders on their renting experiences at public consultation events and pop-up kiosks across the state, and there’s more to come,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is having a direct and open conversation with tenants, property owners and managers because safe, secure and sustainable housing is a right of all Queenslanders.

“By bringing everybody together we can find solutions that work for all parties, whether they’re tenants, property owners, or managers.”

State-wide consultation is underway ahead of important reforms to residential tenancy laws to ensure the needs of Queenslanders are met now and into the future.

The last full-scale review of tenancy regulations occurred in the 1970s.

Currently 34 percent of Queensland households are renting the home they live in with the state having one of the highest proportions of tenants in Australia.

The Minister said in addition to more than 29,000 responses to the Open Doors to Renting Reform consultation, 69 comprehensive written submissions had also been received. 

“Queenslanders have told us the old laws aren’t flexible enough to allow tenants and property to find middle ground on things like installing pay TV, keeping pets, hanging family pictures on a wall or making a garden,” Mr de Brenni said.

“These are things that make a house a home.

“We know happy tenants are good for property owners and together we’re committed to finding the right balance between a tenant’s home and an owner’s property investment.

“Responses to the Palaszczuk Government’s renting review have transformed the age-old perception of mum and dad investors and tenants being on opposite sides of the fence.

“We’re listening and we’re learning because by working together everybody wins.”

You can have your say on Open Doors to Renting Reform until November 30, 2018 at: www.qld.gov.au/rentinginqld or at local community consultation events across Queensland.

ENDS

Media contact: Rosie Gilbert 0466 834 330