Damien Tudehope
Acting Leader of the Opposition
Tim James Shadow
Minister for Fair Trading,
Work Health and Safety and Building
The Minns Labor Government has been caught quietly watering down its rental reforms weeks after they came into effect and without notice or consultation.
Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Regulation made on June 20 have removed the requirement for landlords to provide supporting evidence when evicting a tenant on the grounds that the property needs to be empty for significant repairs or renovations.
The previous requirement that only came into effect on 19 May required landlords to submit a signed statement and at least one piece of additional evidence, such as a builder’s quote or development consent.
Acting Leader of the Opposition Damien Tudehope said renters deserve better.
“Labor made much of its promise to end no-grounds evictions, but now it’s quietly winding back those very reforms,” Mr Tudehope said.
“An eviction for renovations now relies solely on the landlord’s word. This has the potential of undermining the integrity of the reforms.”
The Opposition will consider moving to disallow the regulation when Parliament returns.
Renters are continuing to face soaring rents and a tightening rental market, yet the Minns Labor Government is now watering down one of the few protections it has put in place.
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading Tim James said the move creates uncertainty for both tenants and landlords.
“Everyone deserves clear, stable rules they can rely on,” Mr James said.
“Changing the law without notice or consultation damages trust and causes confusion.”
The Opposition supported an end to no-grounds evictions and is concerned to see that reform now being backtracked on.