Landlords won’t be able to evict tenants from their rentals in South Australia without cause under the government’s proposed rental reforms.
If they go ahead, landlords would only be able to end a periodic tenancy or not renew a fixed-term lease for a prescribed reason.
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Those reasons including any breaches by the tenant, wanting to sell, renovate or occupy the property.
The SA Labor government also wants to increase the minimum notice to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days, so tenants will have more time to secure a new home and make the necessary arrangements to move.
The reforms are being proposed in response to the state’s record low vacancy rate of less than 1 per cent.
They would also allow tenants to keep pets in rental properties, with reasonable conditions to be set by their landlord, such as keeping the animal outside.
Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs Andrea Michaels said housing insecurity was a real concern for many South Australian tenants who feared becoming homeless if their lease was terminated.
“Our reforms are seeking to address this and provide tenants with additional security in their rental home while still enabling landlords the opportunity to end a tenancy for valid reasons,” she said.
The government will soon begin talking to stakeholder groups on the proposed reforms ahead of a bill being to be introduced to parliament later this year.
Anti-Poverty Network SA spokesperson Michael Petrilli applauded the proposed reform.
“These reforms will give renters more stability and security, and will allow them to advocate for their rights, with less fear of retribution — with less fear of ending up without somewhere to live,” he said.
“But we cannot have a truly fair rental system, until the state government acts to stop unlimited rent rises.
“We reiterate our call for an emergency, two-year rent-freeze, followed by a system of rent controls to ensure fair rent rises.”
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