Tenants Queensland (TQ) has welcomed the Palaszczuk government’s new laws designed to introduce minimum standards in rental properties and provide greater consumer protections for manufactured homes owner-occupiers.
TQ CEO Penny Carr said that introducing a head of power to regulate minimum standards in rental properties was a very positive step forward.
“Minimum standards in rental properties are particularly important when you consider that half of the renting households are families with children,” Ms Carr said.
“The legislation will also address the very poor quality of some rental accommodation in the state.
“Minimum standards are good for tenants who often fear asking for repairs and maintenance.
“Equally, they’re good for real estate agents and industry, particularly when dealing with unscrupulous lessors. Those lessors with properties which meet community standards have nothing to be concerned about.”
Ms Carr expressed her organisation’s willingness to assist the government in developing the minimum standards for regulation which she says should be welcomed industry-wide.
Likewise, TQ welcomed the changes to manufactured homes legislation which it says will bring greater transparency to contracting arrangements for residents. Changes include:
- limiting rent increases to once per year,
- making the legislation easier to understand,
- Introducing enforceable behaviour standards for park owners, staff and residents.
“We will work to raise awareness of the changes to legislation around manufactured homes so that the new laws will protect vulnerable park residents from a range of unfair contract terms,” Ms Carr said.