Rental reforms, including reasonable right to own pets, to pass parliament with the support of the Greens

A series of rental forms – including allowing tenants the right to keep pets – are set to pass through parliament with the support of the Greens.

A series of rental reforms – including allowing tenants the right to keep pets with reasonable conditions – are set to pass through parliament with the support of the Greens.

The government will, on Wednesday, introduce a bill it has described as “the biggest reforms to South Australia’s residential tenancy laws in a generation”.

The package will also introduce prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy, extend the notice period to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days, protect tenants’ information, ensure rental properties comply with minimum housing standards and provide additional support for victims of domestic violence.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government has taken a “nation-leading approach” in terms of addressing the housing crisis.

“We’ve already delivered on significant reforms to make the system more affordable for renters,” he said.

“This legislation will add extra protections, particularly for those who have pets, or who may find themselves being forced to end a tenancy, while at the same time safeguarding the rights of landlords.”

Greens MLC Robert Simms. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

Consumer and business affairs minister Andrea Michaels said a vacancy rate of less than one per cent in South Australia meant tenants were currently facing unprecedented levels of housing insecurity.

Greens housing spokesman Robert Simms said the reforms will be transformative for many South Australians and will provide relief in the midst of the housing crisis.

He said the Greens would support the bill’s passage through the upper house because it aligned with the party’s long-term policy priorities.

“As a result of negotiations with the government, the Greens have secured a commitment for funding for an independent organisation that will advocate for renters,” he said.

“We are also now seeing an end to no-cause evictions in South Australia, changes that will make it easier for people to rent with pets and provisions that will make it easier for renters to break a lease if they are fleeing domestic violence.”

Opposition Leader David Speirs said the Liberals support some but not all of the reforms.

“Clearly, reforms which dilute property rights concern the Liberal Party,” he said.

“We do have a significant value or we place value on people’s individual rights to do, within reason, what they want with property that they’ve worked hard to own.

“So proposed reforms which dilute those won’t be supported by the Liberal Party.”