Tenants' Union of Tasmania

Tenant Input Needed for Residential Tenancy Act Review

Posted on Monday, 30 January 2012 | Permalink

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.