The Queensland government recently announced changes to the state’s rental laws, with the aim of giving renters a fairer go. The new reforms will limit the maximum amount of times landlords can increase rental prices to once a year. This is a reduction from the current rate of six-monthly rental increases.
The new laws are part of the Queensland government’s commitment to ensure that renters have greater security and stability when it comes to their housing. This is a welcome move for many renters, who have long been subject to frequent and sometimes unreasonable rental increases.
Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Premier, declared the action was intended to reconcile the requirements of renters with those of property owners.
“For those who are not doing the right thing by their tenants, this is a clear signal that we must take action to bring about reforms that protect the rights and interests of both Queensland renters and property owners in order to maintain an adequate rental supply,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Fiona Caniglia, Executive Director of housing advocacy group Q Shelter, expressed her organization’s satisfaction with the lessened rate of rent increases, yet remains concerned about the potential consequences of having no cap on how much rents may rise.
“The scale of rent increases that can occur is pushing tenants to the brink of homelessness, while the increasing costs of mortgages are having an effect on property investors,” she said.