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Community facilities | January 20, 2017

Kealy urges tenants and landlords to have their say

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP is urging both tenants and landlords to provide input into the rules around renting properties.

The State Government is currently calling for feedback on a range of proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act including:

• Facilitating fixed term leases of longer than five years;
• Restricting rental increases to once per year;
• Banning rental bids;
• Introducing minimum health and safety standards for rental properties;
• Improving incentives for landlords to make repairs quickly, such as restrictions on charging market rent;
• Introducing a mediation service with powers to make binding decisions;
• Requiring notices to vacate to be accompanied by supporting evidence;
• Requiring tenants to have landlord consent before listing a property on Airbnb or similar sites;
• Allowing tenants who are victims of family violence to challenge notices to vacate if given as a result of conduct by a perpetrator; and
• Banning unreasonable ‘no pets’ clauses in tenancy agreements.

“Community consultation is vital when considering any changes to legislation,” Ms Kealy said.

“Some of these proposals would mean significant changes for landlords and tenants and could also impact the availability of rental housing.

“It is important that local people take this opportunity to have their say about the impact of these proposed changes and make a formal submission,” she said.

For further information and to make a submission visit fairersaferhousing.vic.gov.au/renting.

Submissions close 10 February 2017.