The green light changes to the major legislation governing Tasmanian residential tenancies is to be discussed by Cabinet in the next month. It is uncertain what changes will occur, but following a roundtable discussion between the Tenants’ Union, the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania, Housing Tasmania, Shelter Tasmania and community housing providers, here is a sample of what is likely to be introduced:

extension of the notice a landlord/agent must give at the end of a fixed-term agreement from 14 days to at least double that
a requirement that tenants give at least 14 days notice of their intention to leave at the end of a fixed-term lease
a limit on rent increases to once every 12 months, rather than the present six months
minimum standards in some form, requiring the landlord/agent to provide and maintain a property in good repair. It is likely that the following provisions will be madatory: hot and cold water, a toilet, bath/shower, cooking facilities and premises adequately ventilated and free of roof leaks

The Tenants’ Union will push for several other amendments included such as the bias against pets, provisions for hardship and the tightening of landlord/agent inspection provisions. We will also push for ongoing discussions and future legislative change on comprehensive minimum standards and extension of the application of the Act to more areas of tenancy such caravan parks, supported accommodation and education related housing.
Housing Tenants Evicted Without Reason

Recently Housing Tasmania has been evicting tenants at the end of their lease without giving a reason and denying them the right to appeal the decision to Housing Tasmania’s Housing Review Committee. The Tenants’ Union met with the responsible Minister, Cassy O’Connor who amended the procedure, giving all future evicted tenants an informal reason for their eviction while still denying them access to the internal appeal mechanism.

The Tenants’ Union believes that every person deserves to have government decisions explained and to have adequate appeal mechanisms to question those decisions. Therefore we intend to fight this issue through the courts and ask that anyone evicted by Housing Tasmania without having access to an internal appeals mechanism, to contact us

HERE
Tenants Union of Tasmania Rent Rant