REIQ's Rental Reforms Campaign proves there is power in numbers
Just after Christmas 2019, the REIQ submitted its response to the Consultation Regulatory Statement (“RIS”) – Review of the Residential Tenancies Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld) (“RTRA Act”) regarding the proposed rental reforms, announced in November last year.
The submission was the culmination of weeks of dedicated advocacy work by the REIQ, that received an overwhelming level of support from the real estate and broader community, who collectively sent almost 8000 letters of opposition to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The response to our campaign has been unbelievable. We thank you for your support on this critically important issue.
It's time to protect people and property - The proposed rental reforms have the potential to destroy the Queensland property market.
The State Government’s proposed rental reforms have the potential to destroy Queensland’s rental market and create the most onerous rental laws in the country.
With more than 34 per cent of Queensland households in the rental market, our state has one of the highest proportions of renters in Australia. To destabilise this market, would detrimentally impact both property owners and tenants.
Now is the time to stand together. It’s time to protect people, and property.
Download our template letter and email it to the Premier, expressing your concerns with the State Government’s proposed rental reforms.
Please note, this campaign has closed.
Download template
What do these reforms mean for tenants?
Read the report by property market analysts Propertyology on why it’s believed rents may increase by as much as $5000 per year under this proposed legislation.
What's the solution?
The REIQ agrees that a review of rental laws is long overdue and now is the time to modernise the laws as they stand.
However it is essential that future reforms lead to safety and stability for all market participants. The residential property market is critical to the Queensland economy and having a steady supply of investors is key to ensuring rental and housing affordability is maintained.
For that to happen, the State Government must provide certainty and fairness to the market. The REIQ calls for rental reforms that reflect its view that a healthy growing real estate sector should benefit everyone involved – tenants, investors and real estate professionals alike. Queensland has one of the highest proportion of renters in Australia, with more than 34 per cent, and that number is predicted to rise in the future.
As such, we must have fair and balanced laws that recognise the rights and obligations of both parties in the rental relationship.
The REIQ Believes
- Tenants are entitled to safe and secure homes, extending to the right to request repairs, maintenance and upgrades to ensure that safety and security requirements are met and respected by landlords.
- Property owners must have the right to expect tenants to pay rent on time, and to care and maintain their property throughout the tenancy. They must also retain the right to make decisions and maintain control of the properties they’ve worked hard to acquire.
- Property professionals require clarity. Laws must be easily understood so that property managers can properly and effectively manage the relationship between the parties.
The solution is rental reforms that protect both people and property.
What do these reforms mean for property owners?
As a result of reforms introducing broad ranging minimum housing standards, property owners may incur significant costs due to potentially large scale repairs and upgrades required to adhere to the new laws.
Other costs may include:
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having to attend QCAT more regularly to obtain orders to exercise basic rights
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damage related to poor quality and/or faulty modifications, and pet related damage
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insurance premiums and excess costs due to higher risk and increased claims.
What's the solution?
The REIQ agrees that a review of rental laws is long overdue and now is the time to modernise the laws as they stand. However it is essential that future reforms lead to safety and stability for all market participants. The residential property market is critical to the Queensland economy and having a steady supply of investors is key to ensuring rental and housing affordability is maintained.
For that to happen, the State Government must provide certainty and fairness to the market. The REIQ calls for rental reforms that reflect its view that a healthy growing real estate sector should benefit everyone involved – tenants, investors and real estate professionals alike. Queensland has one of the highest proportion of renters in Australia, with more than 34 per cent, and that number is predicted to rise in the future.As such, we must have fair and balanced laws that recognise the rights and obligations of both parties in the rental relationship.
The REIQ Believes
- Tenants are entitled to safe and secure homes, extending to the right to request repairs, maintenance and upgrades to ensure that safety and security requirements are met and respected by landlords.
- Property owners must have the right to expect tenants to pay rent on time, and to care and maintain their property throughout the tenancy. They must also retain the right to make decisions and maintain control of the properties they’ve worked hard to acquire.
- Property professionals require clarity. Laws must be easily understood so that property managers can properly and effectively manage the relationship between the parties.
The solution is rental reforms that protect both people and property.
The proposed new laws would increase liability and general risk for property professionals due to tenants having the power to dictate terms such as:
- pets
- repairs and maintenance, and
- making modifications to property without landlord consent.
The reforms would also increase health and safety risks to property managers due to pet-related issues and poor quality and/or faulty property modifications made by tenants.
Should a landlord wish to end a tenancy, or choose not to consent to pets or property modifications, property managers would need to prepare evidence and substantiate grounds.
They may also need to attend QCAT more regularly to obtain orders due to loss of landlord rights.
Salaries may also increase due to more onerous business processes and compliance requirements.
As a result of the increased risk and loss of control over the property, insurance costs would also rise.
What do these reforms mean for real estate professionals?
What's the solution?
The REIQ agrees that a review of rental laws is long overdue and now is the time to modernise the laws as they stand. However it is essential that future reforms lead to safety and stability for all market participants. The residential property market is critical to the Queensland economy and having a steady supply of investors is key to ensuring rental and housing affordability is maintained. For that to happen, the State Government must provide certainty and fairness to the market. The REIQ calls for rental reforms that reflect its view that a healthy growing real estate sector should benefit everyone involved – tenants, investors and real estate professionals alike. Queensland has one of the highest proportion of renters in Australia, with more than 34 per cent, and that number is predicted to rise in the future. As such, we must have fair and balanced laws that recognise the rights and obligations of both parties in the rental relationship.
The REIQ believes
Tenants are entitled to safe and secure homes, extending to the right to request repairs, maintenance and upgrades to ensure that safety and security requirements are met and respected by landlords.
- Property owners must have the right to expect tenants to pay rent on time, and to care and maintain their property throughout the tenancy. They must also retain the right to make decisions and maintain control of the properties they’ve worked hard to acquire.
- Property professionals require clarity. Laws must be easily understood so that property managers can properly and effectively manage the relationship between the parties.
The solution is rental reforms that protect both people and property.