Homes for Queenslanders: Backing GC renters

• Miles Government backing Gold Coast renters with new package to provide more direct cost of living support, rights and protections
• $160 million support package will provide more assistance for people to find, get and keep a rental home

More direct cost of living support, rights and new RentConnect officers are on the cards for the Gold Coast as part of the Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders.

Greater support follows stories like Steve Laliberte, who received a Rent Secure Subsidy while undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The plan includes a new state-wide Renters Relief Package, backed by $160 million of funding over five years.

As part of the package, extra funding will help more renters to find, get and keep a rental, while more staff will be hired to help Queenslanders connect with rental supports and services.

The government will also establish a new portable bond scheme to allow renters to transfer their bond when relocating from one rental property to another.

Whilst this scheme is being established, a new Bridging Bond Loan product will be introduced to assist households to afford the upfront cost of a new bond, pending release of their old bond.

A new rental sector Code of Conduct will be explored with all parties to crack down on dodgy and unprofessional practices and ensure better protections for renters.

Rent bidding will be banned and penalties will be enforced against agents who engage or encourage these practices. The limit for rent increases to only occur once a year will also be applied to the rental property not the tenancy to further stabilise rents.

Renters’ rights will be strengthened further by progressing new amendments to Queensland’s rental laws to:

• create a framework for parties to agree on installing modifications in rental properties
• protect renters’ privacy by requiring 48 hours entry notice and a prescribed form to be used to apply for a rental home, with any information collected to be handled securely
• limit reletting costs based on how long is left on a fixed term lease, and
• ensure renters have a fee-free option to pay rent, choice about how they apply for a rental property and receive utility charges promptly.

The Miles Government will double the number of specialist customer service staff in the state’s 21 Housing Service Centres by hiring an additional 42 RentConnect officers.

These vital frontline workers will help connect renters with the supports and services they need to get and keep a rental home.

Last financial year we provided around $85 million to help 78,000 Queensland renters with Bond Loans, Rental Grants, RentConnect services and Rental Security Subsidy payments.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works Meaghan Scanlon:

“A lot of families on the coast are finding themselves in the same boat as other families across the country – that is, they’re facing pressures from low vacancy rates and rising rents.

“I want people to know that help is there if you need it.

“Whether it’s more financial support to help cover the cost of renting, or more rights and protections to make it fairer and easier to find and keep a rental, Homes for Queenslanders is there.  

“Increasing housing supply will take time, but there are things we can do now while supply catches up.

“We need to look across the entire market all the way from empty nesters moving into smaller homes, right through renters saving deposits for their first home, through those who are currently homeless, getting them into public or social housing and supporting them on that journey.”

Quotes attributable to Steve Laliberte, who received a Rent Secure Subsidy while undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma:

“The help the Gold Coast housing team gave me was a God-send,’’ Mr Laliberte said.

“This treatment was an all-or-nothing scenario. It was either going to work and save my life, or I was going to be - in all likelihood dead - within the next year.  There were many days when, not only was I not able to get out of the house, but I basically struggled to get from my bed to the kitchen.

“The bills didn’t care how I was feeling and kept piling up. It was just an absolute nightmare.’’

Mr Laliberte, a single dad and full-time carer for his autistic son, said the on-going support provided by RentConnect officers was “very helpful”.

“Certainly that was the beginning of having some relief in my mind, and focusing more on coping … and not dying. It was like, okay, I don’t have to stress out every day where that rent money was going to come from and concentrate on my health.”

Steve has now been told he is in remission and can focus on his future.

Further information:

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact the Gold Coast Housing Service Centre on 5645 8100 during business hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078