What is the party’s position on reforming legislation to improve renters’ rights especially in the area of ‘no-grounds evictions’?
The AJP recognise that current laws for no-ground evictions place tenants in difficult and uncertain positions. The party would also support clearer guidance to landlords around what grounds are deemed appropriate for early eviction.
NSW Labor will end unfair, no-fault evictions in the first 100 days of Government
and will determine a list of reasonable grounds in consultation with stakeholders.
The party supports reforming legislation around no-grounds evictions.
We support the ability of renters to access quality accommodation under conditions that provide them with security regarding their future accommodation needs.
Rental contracts must provide clauses for reasonable grounds for eviction.
The Christian Democratic Party recognises the growing ranks of renters face a shortage of properties, high rents, low-quality rental stock, and the likelihood of having to find a new place to live on a regular basis. No grounds evictions and retaliatory evictions currently undermine renters’ rights in NSW. A 2017 survey by consumer group Choice found that renters lived with widespread anxiety with one-in-five fearing eviction and nearly 10 per cent being evicted on a “no grounds” basis at least once. it is most important to
acknowledge families do not wish to be uprooted from their home without reasonable grounds, therefore, the Christian Democratic Party supports reforming legislation to improve renters’ rights, especially in the area of no-grounds evictions.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government understands the challenges that tenants face when attempting to secure long term, affordable housing in NSW and is committed to improving the experience for renters.
In addition to the existing protections, the Government recently introduced reforms to the
Residential Tenancies Act 2010.
The reforms provide tenants with further protections against retaliatory rent increases, strengthen the security of tenancies and provide avenues for faster resolution if a tenancy dispute relating to repairs arises. The reforms also introduce minimum standards for rental properties, including adequate ventilation and lighting as well as ensuring the property is structurally sound.
A report by consumer group Choice found that retaliatory rent increases, while not common, were almost twice as common as retaliatory evictions.
The report found that almost twice as many tenants cited fear of a rent increase as the reason they did not complain to their landlord as opposed to fear of eviction.
Rental properties are people’s homes, and renters deserve the same security and quality of life as homeowners. But our current rental laws allow dodgy landlords to maximise their returns, at
the expense of people’s security and safety.
The Greens will give people who rent in NSW a better deal by:
● Ending unfair ‘no-grounds’ evictions by specifying and limiting grounds for eviction and stopping people from being kicked out of their home for no reason.
● Capping rents by linking it to the Consumer Price Index. At present there are no
restrictions on the amount by which rents are increased.
● Creating publicly available maintenance logs and maintenance reports.
● Establishing strong rental housing standards though regulated sustainability, safety,
accessibility and efficiency measures.
● Prohibiting blanket ‘no pets’ clauses from rental agreements and advertising. Wherever
possible, people living in rental accommodation should have the same rights as people
who have a mortgage or own their own home.
● Improving management of tenant’s bonds and interest.
● Improving protections for people living in share-houses by ensuring they have access to
legally enforceable protections and rights.
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