Qld rental reforms slammed again

Among the proposed changes are that owners will no longer be able to end a tenancy without a valid reason and that an owner must have reasonable grounds for refusing a tenant’s request to keep a pet.

Establishing a list of proposed minor modifications that would not need approval from the property owner or would allow fast-tracked approval is also one of the proposed changes cited.

Patrick Veyret, policy adviser at CHOICE, is the latest to speak out on the proposed changes, saying that it’s clear the “real estate lobby is out of touch in Queensland”.

“CHOICE commends the Queensland government for proposed reforms that will help the growing number of people who rent in Queensland,” Mr Veyret said.

“There are now over 2.6 million households in Australia who rent. These Australians are raising families, they’re sending their children to local schools and they’re growing old and retiring.

“Our research has found that many people across the nation are living in poor quality homes and on insecure tenancies, are afraid to request repairs and are struggling with rental affordability and cost of living pressures. These reforms will help fix these problems and ensure a fairer market for people who rent, landlords and property managers. Every Queenslander has the right to enjoy living in a safe home. “

“The real estate lobby is out of touch in Queensland – the laws around renting in Australia are outdated and in desperate need of reform. If renting were treated like any other consumer service, the customer – people who pay tens of thousands of dollars every year for an essential service – would rightly expect basic safety, security and enjoyment of what they’re paying for.”

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella also spoke out about the proposed changes, calling them “a slap in the face for investors”.

Meanwhile, Right Property Group’s Victor Kumar penned a blog piece on why the rental reforms are “nothing to worry about”.