Report calls for sweeping reforms of Tasmania’s rental rules
An inquiry into the state’s housing crisis has recommended a major overhaul which could mean big changes for landlords and prospective tenants.
Tasmania
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TASMANIA needs a sweeping review of residential tenancy rules to consider caps on rent increases, spot checks on properties and to make it easier for tenants with pets, a new report says.
The recommendations are contained in the final report of the House of Assembly Select Committee on Housing Affordability, released today.
The report also recommended a freeze on the number of permits for short-stay accommodation in areas with housing shortages, a cap on the number of nights short-stay properties were on the market and tougher rules for operators.
Committee chairman, Labor’s Alison Standen, said action was particularly needed to help renters.
“Hobart is now the least affordable capital city in Australia when it comes to renting,” she said.
“A key concern is that a greater number of lower income Tasmanians will be forced from the private rental sector and into social and community housing, placing more pressure on a system already under strain.”
The committee recommended the government undertake a full review of the state’s Residential Tenancy Act, which is more than 20 years old.
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The final report recommended specific attention to provisions relating to minimum standards and their enforcement, energy efficiency standards, security of tenure for tenants, rent controls, standard leases and applications, and pets.
The report noted that while the law contained a substantial number of required minimum standards for rental properties, enforcement of these standards was lacking.
“The Committee finds that the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 is no longer providing adequate protections or rights for tenants and requires a thorough review to ensure that it effectively regulates the private rental market,” the report said.
“The Committee finds there is a need for a mechanism and resourcing to ensure compliance with the minimum standards in the Act without the need for a tenant to make a complaint to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner before compliance is checked.
“The Committee finds that pet owners can be discriminated against in the community housing and private rental market, and there is anecdotal evidence that this is contributing to homelessness.”
It called for consideration of standardising the forms used for applications and leases, for longer lease terms, and the use of more energy efficient heating in rental properties.
The committee held public hearings, heard from 54 witnesses and received 37 submissions.
Housing Minister Roger Jaensch welcomed the report and said he would consider it thoroughly,
“Pleasingly, at first glance, many of the recommendations suggest actions that are already underway by the government,” he said.
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