Renters are being urged to have their say as public consultation opens on stage two of the state government’s rental law reform.
The reform proposals aim to increase fairness for renters and provide certainty for rental property owners, while enhancing overall stability in the market.
In Logan, as per the 2021 census, renters make up just under 35% of the market, with 39,000 residents renting.
In comparison, renters make up 33% of the state-wide housing market.
Stage 2 of the Queensland reform will cover five key areas:
- making it easier for renters to install safety, security and accessibility measures they need in their rental property;
- supporting parties to negotiate about making minor personalisation changes to rental properties;
- better balancing of renters’ rights to privacy and quiet enjoyment with property owners’ entry rights;
- ensuring rental bond settings provide appropriate security and parties are transparent and accountable about any claims against the bond when the tenancy ends;
- ensuring rent payment, utility and reletting fees and charges are fair and reasonable.
Minister for housing, Leanne Enoch, acknowledged the harsh times facing Queenslanders.
“To tackle these pressures, we’re pursuing stage two rental law reforms which build on the rental reforms we successfully delivered in 2021,” she said.
“Our reforms aim to strike the right balance between the needs of the community, while also supporting continued investment in the housing market.
“We welcome input from the public and stakeholders on our stage two rental law reforms and encourage them to have their say over the next six weeks.”
Stage one of the reform, which was passed by parliament in October 2021, focused on removing without grounds evictions, increasing lease terminancy for domestic violence victims, and reducing restrictions on approved pets.
