Published Tuesday, 02 December, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
NEW TENANCY LAWS PASSED BY STATE PARLIAMENT
Rent bidding has been banned under new tenancy laws passed tonight by State Parliament.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said the new laws, which will come into effect mid next year, were designed to respond to the changing private rental market.
“Previous tenancies legislation was introduced in 1994 and 2002 respectively, but since then the rental market has changed considerably,” Mr Schwarten said.
“There’s been skyrocketing rents, the growth in off-campus student accommodation and rental accommodation for seniors, and the emergence of rent bidding or auctions, which I consider to be a most unAustralian and unfair practice.
“Queensland’s tenancy laws needed to keep abreast of these changes.
“That’s why I ask the Residential Tenancies Authority to undertake a comprehensive review of our tenancy laws and the legislation passed by the Parliament tonight is a direct result of that review.”
Mr Schwarten said the new laws included a number of measures designed to enhance protection of tenants but also balanced the interests of landlords.
“Under the new laws the frequency of rent increases is limited to six monthly, rent bidding is outlawed and the notice period to terminate a tenancy at the end of a fixed term without grounds has increased from two weeks to two months,” he said.
“These are significant changes providing tenants with an increased level of protection in the Queensland rental market.
“The rights of lessors have also been enhanced with the inclusion of new grounds of entry to rental properties to check on repairs and whether significant breaches have been remedied.
“The new laws also require university on-campus accommodation providers to lodge bonds with the RTA.”
Mr Schwarten said an extensive community education and information campaign would be carried out by the Residential Tenancies Authority ahead of the start of the new laws.
Inforation about the changes will be available on the RTA website at www.rta.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said the new laws, which will come into effect mid next year, were designed to respond to the changing private rental market.
“Previous tenancies legislation was introduced in 1994 and 2002 respectively, but since then the rental market has changed considerably,” Mr Schwarten said.
“There’s been skyrocketing rents, the growth in off-campus student accommodation and rental accommodation for seniors, and the emergence of rent bidding or auctions, which I consider to be a most unAustralian and unfair practice.
“Queensland’s tenancy laws needed to keep abreast of these changes.
“That’s why I ask the Residential Tenancies Authority to undertake a comprehensive review of our tenancy laws and the legislation passed by the Parliament tonight is a direct result of that review.”
Mr Schwarten said the new laws included a number of measures designed to enhance protection of tenants but also balanced the interests of landlords.
“Under the new laws the frequency of rent increases is limited to six monthly, rent bidding is outlawed and the notice period to terminate a tenancy at the end of a fixed term without grounds has increased from two weeks to two months,” he said.
“These are significant changes providing tenants with an increased level of protection in the Queensland rental market.
“The rights of lessors have also been enhanced with the inclusion of new grounds of entry to rental properties to check on repairs and whether significant breaches have been remedied.
“The new laws also require university on-campus accommodation providers to lodge bonds with the RTA.”
Mr Schwarten said an extensive community education and information campaign would be carried out by the Residential Tenancies Authority ahead of the start of the new laws.
Inforation about the changes will be available on the RTA website at www.rta.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832