Tenants' Union of Tasmania News

Tenant Input Needed for Residential Tenancy Act Review

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:58:00 +1100

The main piece of legislation governing Tasmanian residential tenancies is under review and tenants have less than a month to comment.

The Residential Tenancy Act Review's Final Report and Consultation Paper was released in December and has 17 recommendations including:

Allowing rent increases to occur only every 12 months instead of the present 6 months,
The introduction of limited minimum standards of accommodation. These include hot and cold running water, cooking facilities, adequate ventilation and adequate heating in the main living area. Further standards would be examined by a working party,
Removing provisions that allow tenants to undertake repairs when the landlord/agent won't do them, and
Allowing landlords to let properties to family members after giving 90 days notice to a tenant on a non-fixed lease.

As you can see there are some improvements for tenants and some potential victories for landlords/agents.

The Tenants' Union will also be pushing for further changes to the Act that have not been included in the recommendations such as lengthening notice periods for inspections, ending the discrimination against pet owners and ensuring that residential tenants have at least one fee-free method of paying rent.

The Tenants' Union will be responding to the Report with a detailed submission. If you wish to make a comment, either contact us or make your own submission. The closing date is 24th February 2012.

Residential Tenancy Act Review Report Released

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:48:00 +1100

The main piece of legislation governing Tasmanian residential tenancies is under review and tenants are invited to comment.

The Residential Tenancy Act Review's Final Report and Consultation Paper was released recently and has 17 recommendations including:

Allowing rent increases to occur only every 12 months instead of the present 6 months,
The introduction of limited minimum standards of accommodation. These include hot and cold running water, cooking facilities, adequate ventilation and adequate heating in the main living area. Further standards would be examined by a working party,
Removing provisions that allow tenants to undertake repairs when the landlord/agent won't do them, and
Allowing landlords to let properties to family members after giving 90 days notice to a tenant on a non-fixed lease.

As you can see there are some improvements for tenants and some potential victories for landlords/agents.

The Tenants' Union will be responding to the Report with a detailed submission. If you wish to make a comment, either contact us or make your own submission. The closing date is 24th February 2012.

Positions Vacant at the Tenants' Union: Volunteer Telephone Advisers

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:17:00 +1100

Are you interested in helping tenants resolve issues with their landlords and agents?
Can you communicate with people from a broad range of backgrounds?
Are you interested in human rights and social justice issues?
Can you volunteer three hours per week during business hours for a minimum of 26 weeks?
Then come and volunteer with us!

We provide FREE advice to residential tenants and opportunities are available to become a volunteer telephone advisor in Hobart.

You will need to complete six hours of training over two sessions in Hobart:
Session 1: Monday 12th December 1.30 - 4.30pm
Session 2: Tuesday 13th December 1.30 - 4.30pm

To register interest call Meredith on 6223 2591 by Monday 5th December.

Stressed Out About Rent? You're Not Alone

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:55:00 +1100

Tasmania has the highest levels of rental stress in the country and Hobart has the highest rental stress levels of all state capital cities.

See the Australians For Affordable Housing website for the report.

Don't Panic - A Tenants' Guide to Renting in Tasmania

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:08:00 +1100

The Tenants' Union recently launched a new handbook which provides an overview of renting for residential tenants in Tasmania.

It's called Don't Panic and it has information on all the major issues affecting residential tenants including:

Applying for Properties
Bond
Rent Charges
Repairs & Maintenance
Privacy
Ending a Tenancy
Boarding Premises

Our latest publication: Annual Report 2010/11

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:40:00 +1100

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Launch of Tenants' Union Booklet - Don't Panic

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:40:00 +1000

The Tenants' Union will launch its new tenancy booklet:

Don't Panic: A Tenants' Guide to Renting in Tasmania

in the Elizabeth Street Mall, Hobart from 12 noon until 2pm to coincide with International Tenants' Day, Monday 3rd October.

We will be giving away pens, balloons, fridge magnets and, of course, our new booklet, specially made for Tasmanian residential tenants. There will also be free tenancy advice and information for residential tenants if you need it.

Tenants' Union AGM

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:20:00 +1000

The Tenants' Union of Tasmania Inc. will hold its Annual General Meeting at 5.30pm on Tuesday 27th September at 166 Macquarie St, Hobart.

Included in business is a proposal to change the Constitution. If you require further information, contact us.

Rents Are Rising But Not As Fast As Before

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:17:00 +1000

The weighted average rent of callers to our advice line was $260 per week in the 2010/11 financial year, a rise of around $9 or 3.9% on the previous financial year. The inflation rate for the last financial year was 3.4% in Hobart and 3.6% nationally.

Census 2011

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:17:00 +1000

Homelessness is usually underrepresented in the Census.

If you have no usual address and are couch surfing, staying with friends/family, in a rooming or boarding house, in crisis accommodation or transitional housing then write NONE.

For Question 10 "Where does this person usually live?" write NONE in the Suburb/Locality Box.