One in three people in NSW would benefit from a clearer set of rules around the termination of rental properties as detailed in Labor’s latest announcement on making housing affordable and fair.
Labor promised that if elected in 2019 it would remove the so called “no grounds” provisions that allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason.
Local Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen was joined by the Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Yasmin Catley, in highlighting Labor’s case for a fairer, more stable rental market in NSW.
With housing becoming less and less affordable and stagnant wage growth, renters now represented a broad cross section of society.
Tenant advocates, academics and church groups have pointed to the use of no grounds evictions by unscrupulous landlords to remove tenants who have asked for basic repairs.
Ashfield local Craig Foster was issued a 90-day no grounds termination 93 days before his wife was due to give birth. They had set up their child’s nursery the day they received the notification.
The notice meant the pair had to find a new rental property and move weeks before the birth of their child.
Census data shows that 40% of people in the Inner West live in rented accommodation.
Labor said it would work with landlords, tenants and industry stakeholders in coming up with a fair set of rules around grounds for evictions.
Grounds would include the need to sell, family reasons, as well as breaches by the tenant.
Besides ending unfair evictions, Labor would work towards longer term lease templates as well as restricting rent increases to once a year.
The need for landlords to provide a reason for a termination notice was already the law in Tasmania and the ACT and the Victorian Government recently announced its intentions to end unfair evictions.
Quotes from Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Yasmin Catley
“Removing the ability for an unscrupulous landlord to evict a tenant will help ensure renters have the confidence to stand up for their rights.
“People shouldn’t be scared to point out a broken window or a leaking tap just in case the landlord decides to turf them out.
“Labor’s ‘Fair Go for Renters’ provides more balance, stability and fairness in rent laws in NSW."
Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill
“Over a third of people now live in rental accommodation and the deck is stacked against them - particularly here in the inner west."