Renters in Australia continue to face inconsistent tenancy laws and an ongoing lack of protection, says a new report out today from National Shelter and the National Association of Renters’ Organisations (NARO).
Today, one year on from National Cabinet’s a ‘Better Deal for Renters’, the National Association of Renters’ Organisations – NARO (of which Tenants Queensland is a member) and National Shelter released a report card that assesses the progress of State and Territories against their commitments. The report finds inconsistent progress and that some jurisdictions have failed to meet their obligations. The report also recommends areas requiring attention including the need to limit the amount a rent can be increased, adequately funding tenancy advice and advocacy services, and better data to inform policy.
In Queensland despite many welcomed and positive changes during the year, key issues have been missed, leaving important, cornerstone reforms outstanding. Tenants Queensland and the Make Renting Fair in Queensland campaign are calling on all parties to commit to them. They are:
- Protecting renters from arbitrary evictions by requiring a fair reason to end all tenancies whether they are fixed term or on-going. This requires the removal of the ‘End of a Fixed Term’ as a ground to end a tenancy
- Rent rises to be restricted to once per annum at the rate of the Consumer Price Index
- The inclusion of minimum standards for energy efficiency,
The report also finds that some jurisdictions, particularly the Northern Territory and Western Australia, are failing to meet their National Cabinet obligations meaning they are failing to meet the needs of renters and reforms are urgently required.
Emma Greenhalgh, CEO National Shelter, said that “States and territories have not done enough to strengthen renters’ rights amid the unprecedented housing crisis. They need to lift their game to meet the National Cabinet requirements’’.
“We continue to call on the Commonwealth to play a leadership role in continuing to coordinate national rental reform. Renters in Australia need protection. The reforms under the Better Deal for Renters are the first step to ensure that housing for 30% of Australians is safe, secure, and affordable”.
Leo Patterson Ross, Spokesperson for NARO, said “The Better Deal for Renters signified a recognition from the Commonwealth of the benefit of a greater role in coordinating States and Territories. However it was created without input from renters or their advocates directly, and has no accountability measures built in. We need to take this work and build on it to ensure renters are able to find and keep a safe, healthy and dignified home. The legal framework relies on tenants to assert their right. We need to make sure they are supported to do so, with greater external oversight and guarantees that doing so will not put them, their families or their homes at risk”.