More than half the members of SA parliament declare multiple properties ahead of votes on rental reforms

South Australian MPs will this week consider a range of rental reforms – but have been urged to listen after it was revealed most own multiple properties.

More than half the members of the South Australian parliament – which will consider a number of rental reforms – own more than one property, analysis shows.

The properties were declared in the register of members’ interests, which are tabled annually for both houses of parliament.

In the House of Assembly, about 28 of the 47 members declared more than one property, while in the Legislative Council the number was about 13 of the 22 members.

Labor, which has more members across both houses, had a slightly higher count of MPs who own multiple properties when the registers were tabled last year.

Both SA-Best MPs listed multiple properties, but neither Greens MP did.

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The register does not list any properties for One Nation MP Sarah Game, and three of four House of Assembly independents declared more than one.

The government’s rental reforms bill will come before the parliament this week, which includes a ban on “rent bidding” – a practice where tenants are encouraged to offer above the advertised price to secure a property.

A separate bill introduced by the Greens, which would cap rent increases at the rate of CPI and restrict them to once every two years, will also be brought to a vote.

Greens Robert MP Simms said MPs should pay attention to renters “for a change”. Picture: David Mariuz

Consumer Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels said a lack of housing was the primary cause of the rental crisis. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Greens MP Robert Simms said rental prices were “out of control”, and called on parliament to “listen to the voices of renters for a change.”

“Whatever the personal circumstances of individual MPs, I think the community expects them to keep the public good at the forefront of their decision making in the parliament,” he said.

But Consumer and Business Services Minister Andrea Michaels said the government would not support the Greens’ bill because the primary cause of the current rental crisis was a lack of supply.

“The last thing we want to do is reduce that supply further particularly as interest rates continue to increase, putting pressure on mortgage-holders,” she said.

“Pitting tenants against landlords as the Greens are seeking to do is not the answer.”

House of Landlords: Inside SA MP’s extra properties

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Ms Michaels said the government had consulted widely on its bill, which also includes a measure that will make rental bonds more affordable.

A spokeswoman for Ms Michaels said as part of the government’s rental reforms, the bond threshold has been increased from $250 to $800 per week.

This has so far saved SA tenants up to $1.3 million since coming into effect from 1 April, the spokeswoman said.

Opposition housing affordability spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said the Liberals would voting against the bill for the Greens’ bill because of similar concerns about its effect on supply.

However, she said they will support the government's bill – and added members were required to disclosure their property interests as an accountability measure.

“All MPs are expected to exercise their judgment on a range of matters objectively with the best interests of their community as a priority, but the parliamentary register of interests exists to ensure politicians are held to account over their private business or interests,” she said.