Landlords and real estate agents could face fines under Greens plan for renters

Landlords and real estate agents would face $78,000 fines for breaching renters’ rights under a Greens plan for a National Renters Protection Authority.

Greens housing and homelessness spokesman Max Chandler-Mather. Picture: NewsWire/John Gass

Landlords and real estate agents would face thousands of dollars in fines for breaching renters’ rights under a Greens plan for a National Renters Protection Authority, staffed by 1000 people nationally at a cost of $200m a year.

Greens leader Adam Bandt on Monday will unveil the next central pillar of his party’s strategy to tackle the housing crisis, to go with a plan to distribute $2.5bn to states and territories in exchange for co-operation to introduce rental freezes and rent rise caps.

The NRPA – which would cost $200m a year, according to Parliamentary Budget Office modelling – would be able to issue on-the-spot infringement notices of up to $3756 to individuals or $18,780 to real estate agencies. Serious or repeat offenders could be fined up to $15,650 for individual landlords or $78,250 for agencies. Real estate agents could also face losing their licence to practise or being referred for prosecution.

“For too long renters have been treated like second-class citizens by both Labor and the Liberals,” Mr Bandt said.

“Unlimited rent increases should be illegal. Unliveable rentals should be illegal. That’s what a National Renters Protection Authority would achieve.”

Mr Bandt said Labor and the Liberals were “tinkering around the edges with a fundamentally broken housing system”.

While the government has been negotiating only with the Coalition over the Greens on a range of policies, including aged care and the NDIS, expectations of a hung parliament after the next election would significantly increase the minor party’s power.

To form minority government, Labor would need to secure supply and confidence from the crossbench, with the Greens confident of getting “a seat at the table” of policymaking.

Greens housing and homelessness spokesman Max Chandler-Mather said an NRPA was the only option on the table for renters to ensure they had greater certainty around their housing.

“Governments treat renters’ rights like an opt-in scheme for property investors but the Greens are fighting for legal enforcement of minimum standards and limits on rent increases,” he said.

“What’s the point of minimum standards for renters if there’s nobody to call when the landlord or real estate (agent) breaks the rules?

“There will be no more pleading with the landlord to send a plumber, fix the heater or send an electrician – it’s your right to have a liveable rental home, and the Greens will make that a reality.”

The announcement comes as Labor continues struggling to secure the support of either the Coalition or the Greens on its two signature pieces of housing legislation – the build-to-rent program and help-to-buy scheme.