Make Renting Fair – February 2024 Update
This year promises to be a huge year for the Make Renting Fair campaign.
We’re excited to confirm that the first tranche of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) are scheduled to be debated in the first week parliament sits – that’s from February 13th.
You’ll remember those changes were announced last May and included limiting the frequency of rent increases to once every 12 months, allowing pets where appropriate, allowing minor modifications, better disputes process, and banning the solicitation of rent bidding. We’ll keep everyone posted on how the debate goes. The explanatory memorandum has a brief outline on the front page, and the Consumer Protection website also has an overview outlining the changes. We’ll also be holding a snap briefing on the Bill / Tranche 1 in the coming days for members of the Alliance – a great reason to sign on if you’re not already!
We expect the second tranche of changes to the RTA will be announced in the coming months and will include mandatory minimum standards and some form of rent stabilisation or cap.
We’re working on a detailed report on the need for minimum standards and will be strongly advocating for the inclusion of energy efficiency standards (such as flyscreens on windows, ceiling insulation, and fans) as a significant cost of living and health and wellbeing measure and will be consulting with the sector on changes you’d like to see and support you’ll need to meet the standard.
In the coming months we’ll also be holding a series of workshops on the proposed changes to the RTA – including removing without grounds evictions – to ensure the concerns and special circumstances of our sector are heard and reflected in any reforms into the future.
Please feel welcome to reach out with any questions or help to Chantal Caruso, campaign coordinator at chantal@shelterwa.org.au
