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The State Government have brought in a staggered approach to the tenancy amendments that passed through parliament on the 29th November.  Some of the more basic changes that we know will be welcomed by many tenants will be implemented from the 1st March and are:

1. Ensuring rent cannot be increased more than once within 12 months

2. Creating penalties for existing offences including:

    - requiring prospective tenants to be notified if the premises is for sale

    - existing tenants to be given 14 days’ notice when a property is to be sold

3. Introducing tougher penalties for all offences including

    - charging excessive rent or rent in advance

    - discriminating against tenants with children

    - keeping inadequate records of payments

    - not lodging a bond

    - if a tenant intentionally causes serious damage to the premises

    - interfering with tenants’ privacy that amounts to harassment

    - incorrectly listing a tenant’s history on a tenant database (‘blacklist’)

    - entering into an agreement to evade the operation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995

    - clarifying that landlords cannot unreasonably refuse tenants subletting rental properties

The remaining reforms will commence later in 2024 to enable industry more time to prepare.  We will keep you posted when we know when.  These reforms include:

    - requiring prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy

    - extending the notice period to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days

    - allowing tenants to have pets in rental homes with reasonable conditions

    - protecting prospective tenants’ information

    - ensuring rental properties comply with the minimum housing standards

    - providing additional support for victims of domestic violence

    - limiting the number of routine inspections per year

    - allowing minor alterations or safety modifications to premises (to be removed at end of tenancy)

    - enabling bond lodgments' directly by tenants via the online (RBO) system

    - phasing in the need for replacement fixtures to meet energy and water saving standards

    - more protections for renters living in rooming houses.

Rest assured Trove Property Management are across all the changes both now, and future and will always ensure we are compliant in everything we do when caring for both our Landlords and our Tenants.