RENTING LAWS TO BE OVERHAULED
Published Wednesday, 14 November, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Queensland’s tenancy laws will be overhauled to make rent bidding illegal and provide increased security and surety for people who rent.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten told Parliament today that State Cabinet had approved his submission to make significant changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.
“Under the proposed changes, lessors and agents will have to advertise properties with a fixed price. Rent ranges, advertising without a price, tenders and de facto rent “auctions” will be outlawed,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Rent increases have also been addressed, with a minimum period of six months between rent increases.”
Mr Schwarten said tenants could currently dispute excessive rent increases during a tenancy agreement.
“The new provisions will also allow tenants to challenge excessive rent increases between agreements if they are remaining in the premises with a new agreement,” he said.
“The Government will not, however, tell lessors or agents what rent they can charge for a rental property as to do so will deter investors from entering an already stressed private rental market.
“That is for the market to decide.”
Mr Schwarten said one of the biggest challenges facing tenants was the relatively short notice period to end an agreement “without grounds”.
For a fixed term tenancy, currently the lessor/agent needs to give the tenant only two weeks’ notice.
“The State Government believes that two months’ notice – in today’s tight market – is a more reasonable time frame if a tenancy is to be ended for no reason,” he said.
While tenants will certainly benefit from many of the reforms, Mr Schwarten said the government would be careful to balance these against the interests of lessors, who provide a significant amount of housing accommodation for Queenslanders.
“Work will start soon on drafting the amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and they will become law later next year,” he said.
Media contact: Scott Chandler (07) 3237 1832
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten told Parliament today that State Cabinet had approved his submission to make significant changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.
“Under the proposed changes, lessors and agents will have to advertise properties with a fixed price. Rent ranges, advertising without a price, tenders and de facto rent “auctions” will be outlawed,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Rent increases have also been addressed, with a minimum period of six months between rent increases.”
Mr Schwarten said tenants could currently dispute excessive rent increases during a tenancy agreement.
“The new provisions will also allow tenants to challenge excessive rent increases between agreements if they are remaining in the premises with a new agreement,” he said.
“The Government will not, however, tell lessors or agents what rent they can charge for a rental property as to do so will deter investors from entering an already stressed private rental market.
“That is for the market to decide.”
Mr Schwarten said one of the biggest challenges facing tenants was the relatively short notice period to end an agreement “without grounds”.
For a fixed term tenancy, currently the lessor/agent needs to give the tenant only two weeks’ notice.
“The State Government believes that two months’ notice – in today’s tight market – is a more reasonable time frame if a tenancy is to be ended for no reason,” he said.
While tenants will certainly benefit from many of the reforms, Mr Schwarten said the government would be careful to balance these against the interests of lessors, who provide a significant amount of housing accommodation for Queenslanders.
“Work will start soon on drafting the amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and they will become law later next year,” he said.
Media contact: Scott Chandler (07) 3237 1832