A new law to  provide better protections for renters and lessors and improve rental market stability is making it’s way through Queensland Parliament, said Chris Whiting MP.

The proposed reforms provide a balanced approach and help deliver certainty for the 34 per cent of Queensland households who rent.

“Queenslanders rely on safe, secure and affordable housing and we’re delivering on our election commitments to improve confidence in the rental market,” said CHris Whiting MP.

“At a time when Queenslanders are renting, and renting for longer, we need to encourage market growth to help increase the number of rental properties in Queensland, while also protecting the rights of tenants.

“Our legislation strikes the right balance between the needs of the community, while also supporting continued investment in the rental market,” said Chris Whiting.

The new ensure safety, security and certainty for all Queenslanders in the rental market by:

• ending no-grounds eviction and providing appropriate approved reasons to end a tenancy, ensuring renters have confidence their rental property is safe, secure and functional by prescribing Minimum Housing Standards
• ensuring people experiencing domestic and family violence can enact plans to end a tenancy, including limited liability for end of lease costs
• making it easier for renters to negotiate having a pet.

The Housing Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 has been referred to the Queensland Parliament's Community Support and Services Committee for detailed consideration.

"I encourage people in my electorate to get in and have their say on these draft laws,” said Chris Whiting.

“The proposed changes will deliver on another of our election commitments.

“we will enable resident-operated retirement villages to be exempted from mandatory buyback requirements under the Retirement Villages Act 1999.

“This will provide certainty and peace of mind to a small number of retirement villages where residents hold units under freehold tenure and control and operate the retirement village themselves,” said Chris Whiting.

To have your say on the new law, go to https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/CSSC