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Renters speak up as time runs out to get Queensland’s rental laws right
QUEENSLAND renters are urging the State Government to fix their proposed new tenancy laws, so everyone has the chance to live in a safe and stable home – whether they own it or not.
Tenants Queensland CEO Penny Carr said the proposed laws did not go far enough in protecting the rights of Queensland renters, who are contacting the community organisation in increasing numbers.
“Every day, we speak to hundreds of Queensland tenants worried about fast-rising rents, lack of property availability, inadequate maintenance to their home and the increased risk of being evicted,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the Queensland Government is not listening. Despite feedback from organisations like ours and tenants, the government’s Community Support and Services Committee ‘rubberstamped’ the proposed laws earlier this month.
“Parliament will now consider the proposed new laws, and we are running out of time to get our rental laws right. This is about creating stability for Queensland’s 1.8 million renters and giving families the protection they need to be safe and secure in their homes.”
Queenslander Janine [surname withheld] knows just how difficult it is to secure safe and stable housing for her family. She is just one of many tenants willing to share their stories.
After receiving an eviction notice at the end of their lease, Janine and her family have applied for 12 rental properties without success. The real estate agent immediately re-advertised the rental home in Brisbane’s northern suburbs with a substantial rent increase.
Janine described trying to find another home for her family as an absolute nightmare.
“We had lived in our home for nearly three years, made good friends in the community, and our neighbours are like family. Now we have had to leave, for no good reason,” she said.
“We would have happily paid the extra rent if it meant avoiding the hassle of moving, especially with a young family.
“The real estate agent never raised any concerns with us until the last inspection. Then, they complained about the state of the house as we had baby gates and other children’s items out.”
Before they knew it, the family had a notice to leave without grounds. The real estate agent did not offer them the option to pay the increased rent to stay.
The Queensland Government’s proposed new laws fail to improve stability for renters, according to Tenants Queensland. They maintain the status quo by the late inclusion of ‘the end of a fixed term’ as a ground to end a tenancy. Rather than achieve greater stability, renters will face a longer list of ‘no-fault’ reasons they can be evicted.
Only by chance, Janine’s family were finally able to secure another rental property. Janine made a well-timed phone call to an agent who had just received notice from another tenant wanting to break their lease.
While the family were able to keep a roof over their heads, they were forced into debt to pay for the moving costs.
Being faced with potential homelessness has had an enormous impact on her family, and Janine still cannot understand why they were given the notice to leave.
“We lived there for almost three years, always paid our rent on time, and the property manager never previously raised any issues with us,” Janine said.
“It just doesn’t seem fair that a property manager can push us out of our home when we’ve done nothing wrong. I can’t think about what might have happened to us if we hadn’t been lucky enough to find another house. It’s just too scary.”
BACKGROUND
- Queensland’s record low vacancy rates. Almost two-thirds of local government areas in Queensland recorded their lowest or equal lowest rental vacancy rates in the June 2021 quarter. Read more.
- Renting families. Over one-third (36%) of Queensland households rent and families with children make up the largest renting household cohort (43%). Read more.
- About Make Renting Fair in Queensland. Make Renting Fair in Queensland is an alliance of organisations that support progressive reform of our renting laws so that all Queenslanders can make the place they live in their home, whether they rent or own. https://makerentingfairqld.org.au/
Tenants Queensland advocates for all Queensland tenants who live in rental accommodation, including caravan park and boarding house residents. TQ runs a free, state-wide advice service for Queensland tenants.
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