The 14 proposed changes announced in October (2017)
- Removal of the 120-day ‘no specified reason’ to vacate. Landlords to provide a reason to end a lease.
- Limit the use of ‘end of fixed term’ notices to vacate to encourage long-term leasing.
- Landlords and agents prohibited from making false, misleading or deceptive representations to induce a tenant into an agreement.
- Pre-contractual disclosure: Landlords must disclose certain information before agreement is signed including any proposal to sell property or if asbestos has been identified at the property.
- Commissioner for Residential Tenancies to be appointed.
- Landlord blacklist introduced.
- 14-day automatic bond repayment.
- Early release of bond.
- Cap bonds and upfront rent for most properties (no more than one month’s rent for a property where the weekly rent is less than double the median weekly rent).
- Faster repairs reimbursement.
- Rent can only be increased every 12 months instead of six months.
- Agents must advertise properties at a fixed price and prohibited from inviting prospective tenants to make offers at a higher price.
- Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant’s right to keep a pet.
- Renters can make minor modifications to a property.
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