The PM just announced outcomes from the National Cabinet discussion about rental reforms. We think more needs to be done to limit the amount rent can rise. This is the summary of their proposals:
“A Better Deal for Renters
– Develop a nationally consistent policy to implement a requirement for genuine reasonable grounds for eviction, having consideration to the current actions of some jurisdiction.
The Queensland Government is consulting about changes to the frequency of rent increases to ensure recent changes are effective.
On July 1, the government limited the frequency of rent increases to once per year. However, the last few months have seen the emergence of rental management practices which appear to undermine the intent of the legislation, for example, ending tenancies after six months so that the rent can be increased with new tenants.
Today the government issued a discussion paper and is calling for submission on how to ensure the annual rent increase frequency limit is effective.
The discussion paper proposes changes that would apply the limit to the frequency of rent increases to the property, rather than the tenancy, regardless of whether the sitting tenants remain, or the property is re-tenanted.
The commencement of the second stage reforms has been long awaited and Tenants Queensland (TQ) is pleased to see consultations commence. Overall, the paper contains some positive proposals (if they eventuate), however, we think that our government needs to do more to regulate the rental market in order to deliver stability, safety, amenity and affordability to Queensland renters.