Privacy guidelines

[LAUREN]

I am interested to hear from PMs regarding the privacy changes - see Property Talk - new landlord guidelines: what you cant ask tenants on the side bar....

Have PMS changes tenancy application forms because of this change?

Seems ridiculous that we cant ask for drivers licence details - how do we do credit checks???? and cant ask details of last tenancy...? can someone break this down for me as I cant see how we can chose tenants without this type on information...

Thanks in advance

[donna]

Here's the link Lauren is referring to: New Privacy Guidelines

cheers,

Donna

[artemis]

After a backlash aka egg on face, the Privacy Commissioner withdrew the guidelines and is taking another look. Including a spot of consultation within the industry, apparently.

[LAUREN]

yes thats the link I have read, just wondering what PMs are doing in response to this and what everyones thoughts are on it... seems ridiculous to me

[LAUREN]

Fantastic!! phew!

[Keys]

Recommendations can just remain that.

We operate within the law.

The law says different.

[Perry]

Property managers told not to go through prospective tenants' bank statements
19 Aug 2019

Property managers and landlords are being told not to perform the "KFC test" on prospective tenants. Rachel Kann told the committee it was common to see lots of payments to KFC and for things tenants couldn't afford. "I don't just want to put a tenant into a property and no sooner have they been put in they can't afford the rent," she said. The Privacy Commissioner has now released guidelines for people placing new tenants in properties, showing what is and is not okay to ask for.

As Keys has observed, the law and guidelines differ.

[Perry]

Concerns new guidelines for landlords won't protect tenants
19 Aug 2019

The Privacy Commissioner, John Edwards, said, "If they [landlords] say that they [the guidelines] don't work for them in a particular circumstance and they want to take a risk of a complaint to our office or to one of the other agencies like the Human Rights Commission that is an option that's open to them," he said. "But we're saying look, if you stick to these guidelines, you're probably pretty safe."

So there you have it: taking a complaint to the PC will be risky and you'll probably be safe, if you follow version two of the spew.

At least Edwards admitted that version 2 had come after a belated engagement with the industry. That being bureaucrat-speak for shooting from the lip, with no meaningful consultation, for the first benighted attempt.

Bumbling bloody-minded bureaucrats. The sooner that one's put out to pasture, the sooner taxpayers might get some value for money.

[Perry]

Concerns new guidelines for landlords won't protect tenants
19 Aug 2019

So there you have it: taking a complaint to the PC will be risky and you'll probably be safe, if you follow version two of the spew.

At least Edwards admitted that version 2 had come after a belated engagement with the industry. That being bureaucrat-speak for shooting from the lip, with no meaningful consultation, for the first benighted attempt.

Bumbling bloody-minded bureaucrats. The sooner that one's put out to pasture, the sooner taxpayers might get some value for money.

2021 and now some more new spew
Privacy Commissioner concerned landlords may be seeking too much information
4 Feb 2021

He's at it again folks, having seemingly learned nothing from his previous failure[s]. Note the words 'may' and 'almost.'

The general blather in the Stuff item is nauseating. However, given the current crop of socio-commie clowns in the drone house, expect more of the same.

Have a glance here, where Peter commented:

Privacy Commissioner John Edwards has recently provided a guide to what information that landlords may require from prospective tenants and also what should not be required. Now Mr Edwards is most likely a fine and upstanding fellow, but as a career lawyer and latterly a public servant I feel not only does he lack the ‘street smarts’ that would be needed to properly develop such a listing, but he has seemingly failed to consult any individual or organisation that is actively involved in the residential rental business. Thus his list is substantially academic, idealistic, and would be dangerous for any property manager or self-managing landlord to follow to the letter.

Nothing's changed.

[donna]

Yeah good find Perry hard to be that post was from 2019.

And well done flyernzl for posting it.

LLs we’re are on our own.

cheers

Donna

[crashy]

We are not "on our own"
We can choose to stop being gutless cowards, and stand up against unjust legislation as a group.

[crashy]

If a tenant with a history of arson gets into your rental, do you think insurance is going to pay out?
If property managers are not able to do due diligence or evict bad tenants, what are we paying them for?

[crashy]

This is discrimination. The tenant has rights under the freedom of information act, but we are not allowed to look at public information, such as social media.

How are all landlords not OUTRAGED?
I can't figure out if it is cowardice, ignorance or a lack of intelligence

[Perry]

You overlooked "apathy."

[Perry]

OMG!

He's at it again. Seems impossible for some to learn from past mistakes and Edwards exemplifies an ignominious example.

Privacy Commissioner takes aim at intrusive landlords
11 Nov 2021

If you have the patience for looking back for / through it, you can see his monumental cock-up of the past.

Edward's "aim" likely amounts to pointing the barrel at himself.