Released 10/05/2018 - Joint media release
Tenants dealing with financial hardship will have greater security in their homes under new legislation introduced to the Legislative Assembly today.
Minister for Housing Yvette Berry and Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the reforms contained in the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2018 arose out of work to develop a new ACT Housing Strategy.
“People experiencing homelessness, and low income households in housing stress will be our priority,” Minister Berry said.
“This Bill is just one part of a broader strategy for reform. We are looking at better ways to support crisis accommodation, student accommodation, and all renters. The Victorian Government’s announcement about enhancing renters rights are being closely examined for ideas to make our own residential tenancies legislation better,” Minister Ramsay said.
“This legislation helps people who face housing stress by providing a clearer, fairer process for managing unpaid rent,” Minister Ramsay said.
“It resolves ongoing uncertainty in the existing legislation by creating a safeguard for vulnerable Canberrans.
“Breaches of a payment plan for unpaid rent will no longer automatically end a tenancy.”
Under the current legislation, a tenancy agreement can be ended in circumstances outside of a tenant’s control and even against the wishes of a lessor. This could happen where a conditional termination and possession order was made by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The Bill replaces conditional termination and possession orders with a new process for dealing with unpaid rent, and it provides safeguards for vulnerable tenants.
“These changes will mean that lessors have a clear process for going to the ACAT to collect unpaid rent and to set up a plan. If a renter still has trouble meeting the payment plan, they will still be able to have their circumstances brought before the ACAT before any steps towards eviction take place,” Minister Ramsay said.
“The new provisions in this Bill will save tenants and landlords time in ACAT working out technical issues about tenancies and ensure everyone’s rights and obligations are more certain.”
The legislation also contains an amendment to reintroduce the legislative stay on offering alternatives to a bond in the ACT. The stay will operate until a written declaration by the Minister provides for the commencement of legislation to regulate bond alternatives.
“Our consultation, particularly with groups who represent renters and people who face financial disadvantage, has shown that there is more work to do. Serious concerns remain about these products. Those concerns must be addressed before we can consider allowing them in the Territory,” Minister Ramsay said.
“This Government will keep working to deliver amendments and services that support our housing priorities. We are actively looking at developments in other jurisdictions, engaging with people who represent renters, and will keep delivering legislation and policy reforms that prioritise the most vulnerable households in our community.”
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases
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