TENANCY REFORMS BACKGROUND

The Housing Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 outlined a raft of reforms for tenancy in Queensland.

Stage 1 of these reforms included changes relating to the following areas and are being phased in throughout 2022, 2023 and 2024:

  • Domestic and family violence,
  • Pets,
  • Grounds for termination,
  • Changes to periodic tenancies, and
  • Minimum housing standards.

The Queensland Government has now released its options paper outlining a further round of reforms, labelled as ‘Stage 2 Rental Law Reforms’.  You can read more about the proposed options here – and if you have a rental property in QLD then I’d recommend you do take a look and have your say, whilst we do still have the opportunity.

STAGE 2 RENTAL LAW REFORMS PROPOSAL

The proposed legislative changes cover the following areas:

  • Installing modifications to a property
  • Making minor changes to a property
  • Tenant privacy and owner access provisions
  • Rental bond process
  • Fees and charges

REIQ POSITION STATEMENT

The REIQ, who is the leading professional body for the real estate industry in QLD, has provided tremendous advocacy and representation over recent years.  The REIQ has released it’s position statement on the stage 2 proposed changes.

Although the governments position is that they are making things fairer and more transparent for tenants, the REIQ have asserted that it is concerned with the ongoing and progressive erosion of the rights of property owners in Queensland.  As the rental management representatives for hundreds of property owners and property owners ourselves, we at Property Zest, share these concerns.

Read the REIQs position statement

HAVE YOUR SAY NOW!

At present these proposed changes have been opened up for comment and feedback. 

I encourage you to have a read of the REIQ’s position statement which outlines each of the proposed changes and the risks to property owners. 

If you would like to have your say, you can do so by lodging a written submission here.