The most significant reforms to South Australia’s residential tenancy laws in a generation are set to pass the Parliament today.
The reforms represent the biggest overhaul of our state’s rental laws since the introduction of the Residential Tenancies Act in 1995.
They will improve security for tenants facing record low vacancy rates, while still ensuring the rights of landlords are protected.
The bill to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 will, amongst other things:
* Introduce prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy;
* Extend the notice period to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days;
*Allow tenants to have pets in rental homes with reasonable conditions;
*Protect tenants’ information;
*Ensure rental properties comply with minimum housing standards;
* Provide additional support for victims of domestic violence.
Under the reforms, landlords will only be able to end a periodic tenancy or to not renew a fixed term lease for a prescribed reason including breaches by the tenant, wanting to sell, renovate or occupy the property.
The Malinauskas Government will also increase the minimum notice to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days so tenants will have more time to secure a new home and make the necessary arrangements to move.
For the first time, tenants will be allowed to keep pets in rental properties in South Australia with reasonable conditions to be set by their landlord such as keeping the animal outside or having the carpets cleaned at the end of the tenancy.
The Government will also support a new tenant advocacy service.
This suite of reforms follows the Government’s earlier moves to address rental affordability including banning rent bidding and raising the bond threshold, which has already saved tenants more than $11.5 million since being introduced in April.
The State Government has also made more people eligible for the Private Rental Assistance Scheme, which saves people on low-incomes thousands of dollars by avoiding the upfront costs including bond and rent in advance by providing bond guarantees and rent payments.
These measures are part of the Malinauskas Government’s plan for A Better Housing Future, which also includes:
* Fast tracking the single largest release of residential land in the state’s history;
*Abolishing stamp duty for first home buyers on new homes valued up to $650,000 or vacant land up to $400,000 to build a new home;
*Fast tracking approvals for new homes in key areas;
* Delivering the first substantial increase to public housing in a generation – building an additional 564 public homes and stopping the sale of 580 others;
*Preparing around 700 additional affordable homes at Prospect, Bowden and Playford to be delivered under the National Housing Accord;
* Developing the former Adelaide Bus Station site on Franklin Street to deliver more than 130 social and affordable apartments;and the former West End Brewery site to see more than 1000 new homes incorporating at least 20 per cent affordable housing;
*Delivering new housing developments for key workers in regional South Australia through a new Office for Regional Housing in Renewal SA, and
*Preparing a new 2 per cent deposit home loan through HomeStart for first home buyers building a new home.
As put by Andrea Michaels
We have made the biggest reforms to South Australia’s residential tenancy laws in a generation.
With a vacancy rate of less than one per cent in South Australia, South Australian tenants are facing unprecedented levels of housing insecurity.
Most landlords and tenants do the right thing. However, it is heartbreaking that there are South Australians who have had their lease ended for no reason, have been forced to remain in an unsafe home or have had to surrender a beloved pet because they fear becoming homeless.
Our reforms strike the right balance of increasing security for tenants while ensuring the rights of landlords are protected.
