NT renters’ rights to ‘harmonise’ with rest of Australia, meet minimum standards

Housing experts across the country are advocating for the Territory’s renters’ rights. Here’s why it could drive real change.

The NT’s rental legislation is “lagging sadly behind” the rest of the continent but housing experts across the country are advocating to relieve Territorians doing it tough.

Shelter NSW chief executive John Engeler told a parliamentary committee on the worsening housing crisis that the legislative disparity across the states and Territories was cause for change itself.

Mr Engeler called on the federal government to consider renters’ rights as they would for consumers.

“My colleagues from the Tenants Union ... sometimes use the analogy of a car,” he said.

“We’ve got lots of cars. We put them on the road. They might be brand new, but they need to be roadworthy.

“I think we would use the general framework that says, ‘We need properties that are tenant worthy’.”

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Tenants Victoria community engagement director Farah Faroque told the committee NT renters faced unique challenges when trying to put a roof over their heads and slammed the Territory’s “patchwork” legislation.

“If you live in the Northern Territory, there is no place for you to lodge your bond other than with your landlord or your real estate agent,” Ms Faroque said.

“All bonds need to be lodged with an independent authority, and interest earned needs to be used for the benefit of the tenant.

“This is an urgent issue and speaks to the idea that, if you are not lucky enough to live in the right jurisdiction, you are subject to harsher laws.”

NT Shelter chief executive Peter McMillan. Picture: Sierra Haigh

NT Shelter chief executive Peter McMillan said it was these discussions “in and out of cabinet” that could lead to better outcomes for Territorians.

“For a long time now, we’ve been in the wilderness when it comes to rights for renters in the Territory,” he said.

Mr McMillan said harmonising Territory renters’ rights with the rest of Australia’s would see an end to rent bidding, allow tenants to make “reasonable, small modifications” to their homes, and access maintenance in a timely manner.

“The expectation at that national level is that each state and territory will work together and try and come up with harmonised or consistent national legislation,” he said.

“But ultimately, the only jurisdiction that has the power to change laws for renters is the Northern Territory government, so we’re really asking them to get on board with what the rest of Australia is doing.”