The ACT government releases a draft bill proposing changes to rental laws, including banning landlords or agents from soliciting rental bids and eviction of a tenant without cause.
'No-cause evictions' and bidding on rental properties could soon be banned in the ACT, with the government opening up a draft bill on rental reforms for public consultation.Under the proposed new laws, landlords would still be able to terminate a tenancy agreement for legitimate reasons, including damaging the property or failure to pay rent
The current rental laws allow a landlord to terminate a tenancy agreement for no reason, giving their tenant 26 weeks' notice. The draft bill also introduces mandatory minimum property standards, such as energy efficiency standards, which landlords will be required to disclose if a property does or does not meet them.
"The bottom line is people deserve a home to live in and shouldn't be evicted without a legitimate reason. "The proposed reform strikes a careful balance of giving tenants better security of tenure, while also ensuring landlords can continue to manage their properties effectively." Executive director of Better Renting, Joel Dignam, says the draft bill will allow more renters security.
"For example, we know of a pensioner who opposed a rent increase because it was excessive. That person later got a no-grounds notice to vacate. This was retaliation, pure and simple," he said.
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