Call for Tenancy Reform to Address Housing Crisis

Media statement – Steve Loring, SFF Pembroke Candidate, 24 March 2025

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Calls for Tenancy Reform to Address Cost of Living Crisis

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party is calling for urgent reform in the private rental market to help address the escalating cost of living crisis affecting both renters and landlords. The current rental system is failing to provide the necessary security and affordability for tenants, while simultaneously driving up costs for everyone involved.

“Private renters are struggling with skyrocketing rents, frequent relocations and a lack of stability, as they face sudden rent increases when their leases expire,” said Steve Loring, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate for Pembroke.

“Meanwhile, landlords and real estate agencies are increasingly focused on maximising short-term profits, often at the expense of long-term tenant stability and the broader housing market.”

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party is proposing a solution that draws inspiration from the commercial leasing model, allowing tenants to sign an initial 12-month lease with the option to extend for an additional two years. This reform would provide renters with greater security and stability, alleviating the stress of unpredictable rent hikes.

“We need to restore balance to the rental market. By offering longer-term leases with moderate, controlled rent increases, we can ease the financial pressure on tenants while ensuring landlords have the security of reliable, long-term income,” said Steve Loring. “This approach would create a fairer system that benefits both tenants and landlords.”

The proposed reforms would include annual rent increases tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), capped at a maximum of 5% per year. This ensures that tenants won’t face excessive rent hikes while giving landlords reasonable, predictable returns.

Furthermore, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party is advocating for government incentives to landlords who offer these longer-term leases, such as reduced land tax obligations. This would help create a more stable rental market, reducing speculative investment in housing and providing tenants with much-needed security.

“Right now, the private rental market is dominated by short-term investors looking for quick returns, which is pushing many Australians out of the housing market,” Steve Loring added. “By incentivising landlords to offer longer leases, we can make housing more affordable, reduce market volatility and help more people get into homeownership.”

With housing affordability being a growing concern for families across the state, this policy aims to provide long-term stability, reduce rental costs and ensure that the rental market better serves both tenants and landlords.

“The time for reform is now. It’s time to give renters the stability they deserve and make housing more affordable for everyone,” said Steve Loring.