Residential Tenancies Act 1987 review
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety released the Discussion Paper into the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987.
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety released the Discussion Paper into the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987.
The rental market in Western Australia is undergoing substantial change. It is no longer just a transitional housing option on the path to home ownership, but rather a deliberative lifestyle choice to some, or the only housing option available for others. This calls for a private rental sector that delivers good housing outcomes for all Western Australians.
However, despite the changes in the private rental market, there are practices in the private rental sector, that do not reflect these changes. For instance, there remains a preference of 6- and 12-month fixed term tenancy contracts being offered to tenants, negatively impacting on the sense of tenure security, and tenants still have to seek permission to make minor alterations to premises, such as hanging pictures.
These provisions indicate that the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 has failed to keep pace with the changing environment and the sense that a rental dwelling is a tenant’s home.
The review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 presents an opportunity to introduce reforms to ensure that renting is supported as a longer term, safe and secure housing option and enabling renters to make the property they rent into a home.
Read the Review page and Discussion Paper here
