The Make Renting Fair alliance represents over 21 members including peak bodies, service providers, and unions, who collectively provide services to over 500,000 Western Australians.
The changes the Government has announced today to the Residential Tenancy Act are important and include some good news for renters.
Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell said while there were positive changes in today’s commitment, including limiting rent increases to once per year, banning property managers soliciting rental bidding, giving tenants the rights to own a pet and make small modifications, and a vastly improved dispute process, it’s disappointing the Government has retained no-grounds evictions.
“There are changes in this announcement which will make a difference to tenants who are struggling to cope with the current rental crisis”.
“The requirements for fixed advertised pricing, and the ban on agents soliciting bids, will provide some welcome certainty, particularly considering the spiralling cost of living”.
“But the omission of addressing no-grounds evictions will be a huge disappointment to the 700,000 West Australians who live in a rental property, as will the failure to introduce a cap on rents.
“Since we launched our campaign in 2019, we’ve heard again and again from renters crying out for more security in their tenancy.
“Ending no-grounds evictions is critical to supporting renters to assert their rights, feel comfortable and secure in their homes, and to ensure tenants can stay where they are.
“Five other states have already moved forward with this important change to some degree or another, and there is no evidence rent reforms are causing investors to leave the market.
“It is vital for both landlords and renters to have certainty around grounds for eviction and we want to work with Government to enact this important change in the next round of tenancy reforms.”