No-one wins under de Brenni’s ‘reckless’ rental reforms

THE Minister for Housing and Public Works, Mick de Brenni has announced Stage 1 of proposed rental reforms that would significantly damage Queensland’s rental market and create the most onerous rental laws in the country.

The REIQ strongly opposes the proposed reforms which are a slap in the face to every day ‘mum and dad’ property owners who provide the majority of housing to Queensland’s renters.

If enacted, the law change would erode fundamental landlord rights and deter property investment across the state.

The reforms’ ripple effect would see renters struggling to find suitable housing under already tight conditions.

In a further blow to renters, by de Brenni’s own admission the reform would likely increase weekly rent from an average of $360 per week to $378, which is a massive 5 per cent rise.

The most controversial and damaging reform is the proposed abolishment of a landlord’s right to not renew a tenancy agreement at the end of its agreed term.

In practice, this will allow a tenant to remain in a tenancy indefinitely and for as long as they want unless the landlord can establish a reason prescribed by law.

This reform has been cleverly disguised by the Palaszczuk Government as the abolishment of ‘without grounds terminations or evictions’ – that description is inaccurate and misleading.

Under current rental laws, landlords cannot end a fixed-term tenancy agreement before it ends unless a breach has occurred.

Other proposed reforms include:

1. The loss of a landlord’s right to refuse pets;

2. The introduction of a tenant right to make modifications to a rental property without the landlord’s consent; and

3. The introduction of minimum housing standards requiring the rental property and its inclusions to meet prescribed standards and to be in a certain state of repair.

The REIQ is disappointed that landlords have been totally overlooked in this rental law review.

Queensland has one of the highest proportions of renters in Australia with more than 34 per cent of Queensland households in the rental market.

The vast majority of rental housing is provided by everyday Queenslanders, and many of those are already making a loss on their investments.

Given the significance of these reforms, we are disappointed that the Minister is offering a mere six-week consultation process after waiting a year to announce these reforms.

On its face, the Government may think it is protecting tenants but in reality, we are likely to see housing supply reduce.

There will be no winners.

As a community, it’s time for us to unite and fight against these damaging and disingenuous reforms, which will negatively impact both landlords and renters.

The REIQ will be actively campaigning against the reforms via a range of avenues, including social media and other shareable channels.

LATEST UPDATE:

More than 2000 individual emails have been sent to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to oppose her government’s proposed rental reforms, since the REIQ launched its campaign against the changes last week.

The first 1000 emails were sent within the first 48 hours of the campaign’s launch, sending a clear message that the real estate community stands firmly against these proposed reforms.

“Clearly, people are unhappy with these damaging proposed reforms and they are making their voices heard,” REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said.

“Despite the State Government’s misleading and disingenuous explanations regarding the real impact of the reforms, the community understands that the proposed changes would create the most onerous rental laws in the country.

“Tenants, landlords and real estate professionals alike are all lending their voices to the campaign, in an attempt to prevent the destruction of Queensland’s rental market.”

The REIQ is particularly concerned about reforms which erode property owner rights, which will in turn deter investors, and subsequently reduce housing availability and increase rates for those who rent.

This sentiment has been widely echoed by industry leaders, along with the wider real estate community, all of whom join the REIQ in opposing the proposed reforms.

“But the fight is not over,” Ms Mercorella said.

“We must continue to stand together to urge the State Government to reconsider these damaging reforms, which will negatively impact both landlords and tenants.”

Join the REIQ by visiting www.rentalreforms.com.au, where you’ll find a range of shareable social media content, and a link to send an email expressing your opposition to the reforms directly to Premier Palaszczuk.