Email your MP for a meeting | Make Renting Fair in Queensland

Email your MP for a meeting

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We wish to make sure that all Queensland MPs are aware of what renters in the state need. The MPs will soon be voting on new laws that will affect renters across Queensland.

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Subject:

I am writing to request a meeting with you to discuss the urgent need to make renting fair in Queensland by ensuring the Stage Two Rental Law Reforms provide real outcomes for renters in the midst of the current housing crisis.

Limit the amount rent can increase

I am pleased the Government has already taken action to only allow landlords to increase rent once a year, but this reform does nothing to protect people from unreasonable rent increases. Last year the average rental increase in Queensland was over $100 per week - more than three times the rate of inflation. Some renters had their rent increase by over $300 per week. Limiting rent increases to the rate of CPI once a year, similar to the laws in the ACT, will level the playing field between renters and landlords, bring stability to the rental market, and keep more people in homes. This is an opportunity for the Government to end uncertainty for 1.8 million renters across Queensland.

Make bond returns simpler and fairer

Renters need their bond to move. Without a swift and fair bond return, renters are left without access to their own money. If a landlord thinks a bond should be awarded to them, they should have to make a claim, with evidence. Otherwise, it should be automatically returned to the renter promptly, and in full.

Improve safety, livability, and accessibility in our homes
Safety, comfort, and dignity start in our homes. Renters should be able to make reasonable adjustments to their home, especially people with a disability and domestic and family violence survivors. Queenslanders with a disability should be entitled to make minor modifications like lowering locks on windows, installing railing in the bathroom, or emplacing temporary ramps so all parts of the property are accessible. Further, adjustments such as installing security cameras or screens on doors and windows are reasonable and essential precautions for renters who are escaping domestic and family violence.

Everyone deserves to be safe and secure in their home. Requiring pre-disclosure of information about safety risks of a home, such as asbestos or flood risk, and crimes that have occurred at the premises, is essential for renter safety. Landlords should have a duty to disclose a home’s history and condition in full.

Protect our privacy

Queensland renters applying for housing are often subject to intrusive data collection by landlords utilising third party platforms. In the last year alone we have seen millions of Australians impacted by data breaches of their personal information. It is not unusual for renters to be asked to hand over complete bank statements, including every day transactions and even family food costs. Real estate agents should only be able to ask for relevant personal and financial information to determine rental suitability.

Lift industry standards

Improved training in property management and a code of conduct for landlords and agents would set standards and expectations of conduct and give renters standing to challenge poor practice, and a register of landlords would improve accountability.

The current rental system is very challenging for renters and we need to strike a fairer balance to ensure safe and secure housing for everyone.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these matters with you directly at a time of your convenience.

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