A group of 18 housing, ageing and disability advocacy organisations, as well as Shelter WA, have signed an open letter calling for Commerce Minister, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA to adopt the updated accessibility requirements for residential buildings.
In Western Australia, one in five people live with a disability and our ageing population is continuing to grow. Despite this, we continue to accept that a significant proportion of our population must either reside in homes that they cannot easily enter, move around in, or be forced to move into alternative accommodation.
State and territory building ministers will meet today as hosts to the Albanese government to review the provisions for residential housing and apartments in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 based on Livable Housing Design Guidelines (LHDG) silver standards.
Key Asks:
The Minister to support the adoption of the Liveable Housing Design Guideline (silver standard) for new homes at the Building Ministers Meeting on the 26 August 2022.
Adopt the updated accessibility requirements for residential buildings in the NCC 2022 update and to commit to a 12-month transition period to ensure time for industry training and education.
https://www.shelterwa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Untitled-design-29-cccc.jpg8001200Royceton Hardeyhttps://www.shelterwa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Shelter-WA-logo_Horizontal-300x70.pngRoyceton Hardey2022-08-26 06:28:232022-08-26 06:28:23Open Letter to Commerce Minister, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA
Western Australia’s leading animal rescue organisations have joined forces to call on the State Government to strengthen WA’s rental laws as current ‘no ground’ evictions and banned pets have resulted in large numbers of animals being surrendered at their shelters.
The RSPCA WA, Cat Haven and the Dogs’ Refuge Home have collectively written to the Premier calling for reform of the WA Residential Tenancies Act to allow pets to live in rental homes and the removal of ‘no ground’ evictions so people have the confidence to ask landlords if they can keep a pet in their home.
They argued that these two amendments alone would go a long way to making renting a more stable, secure and safe housing option for the 700,000 renters in Western Australia.
The Dogs’ Refuge Home reported 297 animals surrender applications in the first three months of 2022, with many people contacting them in emergency after other options for their dog had fallen through or an alternative couldn’t be found.
Dogs’ Refuge General Karen Rhodes said the large majority of those surrendered were from people unable to keep their animals due to the current laws.
“WA’s animal shelters are witnessing the heartbreaking impact of current tenancy law on both animals and their owners,” she said.
In 2022, Cat Haven cared for over 50 cats under their Emergency Boarding program with an expected number of more than 120 by the end of the year.
Cat Haven CEO Roz Robinson said some of the cats had been in care for over 4 months while their owners looked for suitable accommodation.
The Cat Haven has also received 1,525 owner surrenders in 2022 so far with many of these being from the lack of pet-friendly rentals on the market,” she said.
“There has been a significant rise in pet surrenders due to rental housing issues. The majority of rental properties do not allow pets, and when people are evicted and need to find a new home, securing a rental where they can take their pet is very difficult.”
RSPCA Chair Lynne Bradshaw said the current low number of rental properties available in Western Australia, coupled with the increase in many rental prices resulted in a sad consequence of renters who find themselves unable to secure accommodation that will accept their family pet.
“Sadly, many people have had to make the heartbreaking choice between surrendering their beloved pet or putting a roof over their family’s heads,” she said.
“As competition increases for rentals, it is sadly less likely for an application with pets to be accepted. Animal shelter staff regularly see the trauma of owners surrendering their pet, many of whom are viewed as family members. These owners are distraught having to have made the decision to either keep their pet or a home.”
Shelter WA CEO Michelle Mackenzie said a snapshot of available rentals on 18 August 2022 found 2592 WA rentals were listed on realestate.com.au, but only 384 properties or 14.8 per cent were listed as ‘pets considered’.
“We know people don’t want to give up their pets and we believe that the lack of rental security means tenants aren’t comfortable even asking if they can have a pet, fearing it will lead to eviction when their lease period ends,” she said.
“We have 700,000 renters in WA and they are living in homes where they can be evicted without any reason. Add to that the pressure of having to give up a beloved pet and it’s a very sad story for many people in the rental market.”
Fast facts and No grounds evictions and fixed term evictions clarifier
In WA, tenants can be evicted without any reason at any point during a periodic tenancy provided 60 days’ notice is given by the landlord.
Tenants can be evicted without any reason at the end of any fixed term tenancy provided with 30 days’ notice.
These reforms would remove “no reason” evictions for periodic tenancies and limit “no reason” evictions to the first fixed term tenancy, after which landlords would need to give a reason the tenant has breached the tenancy agreement.
Under the reforms, landlords will still be able to evict tenants who breach the tenancy agreement at any time with just 14 days’ notice.
In a rental market experiencing record low vacancy rates, this makes it extremely insecure for tenants, who are unlikely to assert their rights for repairs and maintenance for fear of eviction.
At July 2022 the rental vacancy rate in Perth remains at a historic low of 0.6 per cent. REIWA considers a balanced market as being somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent. (SQM Research, July 2022)
Independent polling has found overwhelming support for removing “no reason” evictions and ensuring other recommended protections, including a majority of landlords in favour of these reforms.
Polling released this morning by the Make Renting Fair campaign reveals that a large majority of West Australians support changes to make the rental market fairer.
The polling, conducted by Painted Dog Research, surveyed 819 Western Australians and shows 74 per cent support for removing “no reason” evictions and 74 per cent support for limiting rent increases to once a year.
Importantly polling showed an outright majority of private landlord’s support both changes, with 55 per cent support for removing no reason evictions and 58 per cent support for limiting rent increases from people who own a tenanted residential investment property.
These responses contradict recent claims from the real estate industry that these proposed reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act, if implemented by the government, will cause investors to leave the market.
Instead, 73 per cent of West Australians overall and 57 per cent of landlords, report that they support reforms to make the rental market fairer for tenants.
Michelle Mackenzie, CEO of Shelter WA, said, “Reforms to remove no reason terminations, limit rent increases and allow minor modifications to properties without penalty are backed overwhelmingly majority of West Australians, including a majority of landlords. This corroborates our independent review of the REIWA research, by the University of NSW, which showed that the methodology and assumptions within the REIWA study was flawed and not sound.
“Majority of Western Australians support increased security.”
“These findings should give the government confidence that the majority of Western Australians support increased security and stability for tenants in the WA rental market,” Louise Giolitto, CEO of WA Council of Social Services (WACOSS) said.
The polling also looked at other ways someone may have been impacted in their rental housing in the last twelve months.
Regrettably, the polling found that 1 in 20 tenants have experienced a “no reason” eviction in just the past 12 months, and nearly a quarter of tenants (24 per cent) fearful to ask for basic repairs to their home because of fear of eviction.
In response to record rental inflation in the last two years, 32 per cent of tenants reported receiving significant rent increases over the past year.
Almost a third (31 per cent) of tenants reported they are living in fear that the owner will sell the rental home and they will have nowhere to move.
“Stress and fear.”
Sarah Kane, CEO of Circle Green Community Legal, said: “It is heartbreaking that so many tenants currently live in such a state of stress and fear but in the current rental market, with rents increasing by 30 per cent over the past two years and a record low vacancy rate, it is unsurprising so many renters report feeling this pressure.”
Summary: Community Perceptions Poll Findings
Support for specific changes to tenancy laws:
85 per cent support increasing the amount of affordable rental housing in WA; and
Three quarters (73 per cent) support reforms to make the rental market fairer for tenants.
Support for specific changes to tenancy laws:
74 per cent support ensuring tenants can’t be evicted without a valid reason, including 86 per cent of tenants and 54 per cent of landlords
74 per cent support limiting rent increases to once per year, including 83 per cent of tenants and 58 per cent of landlords
Over two thirds (67 per cent support) allowing tenants to make minor modifications to make the house feel more like a home (on the provision it is returned to normal when they exit) including 77 per cent of tenants and 54 per cent of landlords
81 per cent support increasing access to tenant advice, advocacy and information, including 88 per cent of tenants and 71 per cent of landlords; and
A majority of landlords support all proposed changes: 55 per cent support removing no reason evictions, 58 per cent support limiting rent increases to once a year, and 54 per cent support allowing minor modifications.
Specific ways renters may have been impacted in their rental housing in the last twelve months:
Evictions: Five per cent had experienced an unreasonable termination of their tenancy, and 31 per cent live in fear that the owner will sell the rental home and they will have nowhere to move
Rental stress: 32 per cent had experienced significant rent increases and 35 per cent were paying over 30 per cent of their income on rent
Modifications: 16 per cent were not allowed to make reasonable modifications during their tenancy, and another 24 per cent felt fearful to ask for repairs or maintenance because they don’t want to be evicted
Standards: 33 per cent had lived in a property with poor standards (such as lack of insulation, heating or cooling, window coverings etc.)
The polling was conducted in August 2022 by Painted Dog Research group operating in line with the international standard for market, opinion and Social Research (ISO 20252). The sample size is n=819, with a survey error of 3.96 per cent at the 95 per cent level of confidence. All survey participants were over 18 years of age and include residents from the Perth metropolitan and regional areas.
Detailed results – Community Perceptions Rental Poll Findings
(SHWA-2) To what extent would you support or oppose initiatives that aim to:
(SHWA-12) Recently, proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, have been reviewed. To what extent do you support or oppose:
(SHWA-13) Below are some other ways someone may or may not have been negatively impacted by the housing market in the last twelve months. Please select any which are true for you:
https://www.shelterwa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/pexels-julia-m-cameron-4145349-scaled-e1660613536525.jpg7371200Amanda Woodwardhttps://www.shelterwa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Shelter-WA-logo_Horizontal-300x70.pngAmanda Woodward2022-08-15 21:28:342022-08-16 12:30:42Polling finds large majority of West Australians support legislative changes to make the rental market fairer
Open Letter to Commerce Minister, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA
/in Media Releases, NewsA group of 18 housing, ageing and disability advocacy organisations, as well as Shelter WA, have signed an open letter calling for Commerce Minister, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA to adopt the updated accessibility requirements for residential buildings.
Read the Open Letter here.
In Western Australia, one in five people live with a disability and our ageing population is continuing to grow. Despite this, we continue to accept that a significant proportion of our population must either reside in homes that they cannot easily enter, move around in, or be forced to move into alternative accommodation.
State and territory building ministers will meet today as hosts to the Albanese government to review the provisions for residential housing and apartments in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 based on Livable Housing Design Guidelines (LHDG) silver standards.
Key Asks:
Pet rescue shelters call for rental reform
/in Media ReleasesWestern Australia’s leading animal rescue organisations have joined forces to call on the State Government to strengthen WA’s rental laws as current ‘no ground’ evictions and banned pets have resulted in large numbers of animals being surrendered at their shelters.
The RSPCA WA, Cat Haven and the Dogs’ Refuge Home have collectively written to the Premier calling for reform of the WA Residential Tenancies Act to allow pets to live in rental homes and the removal of ‘no ground’ evictions so people have the confidence to ask landlords if they can keep a pet in their home.
They argued that these two amendments alone would go a long way to making renting a more stable, secure and safe housing option for the 700,000 renters in Western Australia.
The Dogs’ Refuge Home reported 297 animals surrender applications in the first three months of 2022, with many people contacting them in emergency after other options for their dog had fallen through or an alternative couldn’t be found.
Dogs’ Refuge General Karen Rhodes said the large majority of those surrendered were from people unable to keep their animals due to the current laws.
In 2022, Cat Haven cared for over 50 cats under their Emergency Boarding program with an expected number of more than 120 by the end of the year.
Cat Haven CEO Roz Robinson said some of the cats had been in care for over 4 months while their owners looked for suitable accommodation.
The Cat Haven has also received 1,525 owner surrenders in 2022 so far with many of these being from the lack of pet-friendly rentals on the market,” she said.
“There has been a significant rise in pet surrenders due to rental housing issues. The majority of rental properties do not allow pets, and when people are evicted and need to find a new home, securing a rental where they can take their pet is very difficult.”
RSPCA Chair Lynne Bradshaw said the current low number of rental properties available in Western Australia, coupled with the increase in many rental prices resulted in a sad consequence of renters who find themselves unable to secure accommodation that will accept their family pet.
“As competition increases for rentals, it is sadly less likely for an application with pets to be accepted. Animal shelter staff regularly see the trauma of owners surrendering their pet, many of whom are viewed as family members. These owners are distraught having to have made the decision to either keep their pet or a home.”
Shelter WA CEO Michelle Mackenzie said a snapshot of available rentals on 18 August 2022 found 2592 WA rentals were listed on realestate.com.au, but only 384 properties or 14.8 per cent were listed as ‘pets considered’.
“We know people don’t want to give up their pets and we believe that the lack of rental security means tenants aren’t comfortable even asking if they can have a pet, fearing it will lead to eviction when their lease period ends,” she said.
“We have 700,000 renters in WA and they are living in homes where they can be evicted without any reason. Add to that the pressure of having to give up a beloved pet and it’s a very sad story for many people in the rental market.”
Fast facts and No grounds evictions and fixed term evictions clarifier
Media contact:
Shelter WA – Sarah Quinton 0439439233
RSPCA – Alex Newbegin 0437069853
Dogs’ Refuge – Karen Rhodes 0421 900 225
Cat Haven – Amber Ashford 0498111272
Polling finds large majority of West Australians support legislative changes to make the rental market fairer
/in Media Releases, NewsIndependent polling has found overwhelming support for removing “no reason” evictions and ensuring other recommended protections, including a majority of landlords in favour of these reforms.
Polling released this morning by the Make Renting Fair campaign reveals that a large majority of West Australians support changes to make the rental market fairer.
The polling, conducted by Painted Dog Research, surveyed 819 Western Australians and shows 74 per cent support for removing “no reason” evictions and 74 per cent support for limiting rent increases to once a year.
Importantly polling showed an outright majority of private landlord’s support both changes, with 55 per cent support for removing no reason evictions and 58 per cent support for limiting rent increases from people who own a tenanted residential investment property.
These responses contradict recent claims from the real estate industry that these proposed reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act, if implemented by the government, will cause investors to leave the market.
Instead, 73 per cent of West Australians overall and 57 per cent of landlords, report that they support reforms to make the rental market fairer for tenants.
Michelle Mackenzie, CEO of Shelter WA, said, “Reforms to remove no reason terminations, limit rent increases and allow minor modifications to properties without penalty are backed overwhelmingly majority of West Australians, including a majority of landlords. This corroborates our independent review of the REIWA research, by the University of NSW, which showed that the methodology and assumptions within the REIWA study was flawed and not sound.
“These findings should give the government confidence that the majority of Western Australians support increased security and stability for tenants in the WA rental market,” Louise Giolitto, CEO of WA Council of Social Services (WACOSS) said.
The polling also looked at other ways someone may have been impacted in their rental housing in the last twelve months.
Regrettably, the polling found that 1 in 20 tenants have experienced a “no reason” eviction in just the past 12 months, and nearly a quarter of tenants (24 per cent) fearful to ask for basic repairs to their home because of fear of eviction.
In response to record rental inflation in the last two years, 32 per cent of tenants reported receiving significant rent increases over the past year.
Almost a third (31 per cent) of tenants reported they are living in fear that the owner will sell the rental home and they will have nowhere to move.
Sarah Kane, CEO of Circle Green Community Legal, said: “It is heartbreaking that so many tenants currently live in such a state of stress and fear but in the current rental market, with rents increasing by 30 per cent over the past two years and a record low vacancy rate, it is unsurprising so many renters report feeling this pressure.”
Summary: Community Perceptions Poll Findings
Support for specific changes to tenancy laws:
Support for specific changes to tenancy laws:
Specific ways renters may have been impacted in their rental housing in the last twelve months:
The polling was conducted in August 2022 by Painted Dog Research group operating in line with the international standard for market, opinion and Social Research (ISO 20252). The sample size is n=819, with a survey error of 3.96 per cent at the 95 per cent level of confidence. All survey participants were over 18 years of age and include residents from the Perth metropolitan and regional areas.
Detailed results – Community Perceptions Rental Poll Findings
(SHWA-2) To what extent would you support or oppose initiatives that aim to:
(SHWA-12) Recently, proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, have been reviewed. To what extent do you support or oppose:
(SHWA-13) Below are some other ways someone may or may not have been negatively impacted by the housing market in the last twelve months. Please select any which are true for you: