As your Federal Member for Bennelong, I am committed to advocating for renters’ rights and ensuring that everyone in our community has access to secure and affordable housing. 

I know how vital it is to have governments prioritising renters’ needs, and I’m proud that both the Federal and State Governments have recently delivered significant legislative reforms to support and protect renters.

In New South Wales, the Minns Labor Government has enacted the most substantial rental reforms in over a decade. These reforms include:

• Ending ‘no grounds’ evictions: Landlords must now provide valid reasons for ending a tenancy, enhancing housing security for renters.
• Limiting rent increases: Rent hikes are now restricted to once per year, providing greater financial predictability for tenants.
• Facilitating pet ownership: It’s now easier for tenants to have pets, fostering more inclusive living environments.
• Fee-free rent payment options: Tenants have access to fee-free methods for paying rent, reducing financial burdens.
• Banning background check fees: Applicants are no longer required to pay for background checks when applying for a property, making the application process fairer.

These changes, developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders and the public, aim to create a fairer rental market and will be implemented progressively, with specific measures taking effect immediately and others by early 2025.

At the federal level, the Albanese Labor Government has passed legislation to support the construction of approximately 80,000 new rental homes through the build-to-rent sector. This initiative includes:

• Tax incentives for large-scale rental projects: Encouraging investment in developments with 50 or more dwellings retained under single ownership for at least 15 years.
• Affordable housing provisions: Mandating that a minimum of 10% of dwellings in each development be available as affordable tenancies, managed by community housing organisations, with rents capped at 74.9% of market value.
• Enhanced tenant protections: Offer longer tenancies with a minimum of five years and prohibit ‘no fault’ evictions, providing renters greater security and stability.

This legislation complements other federal measures, such as the increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance, to alleviate rental pressures and boost housing supply.

Furthermore, the National Cabinet has agreed on a comprehensive plan to deliver better housing outcomes, including:

• A national target of 1.2 million new homes: Aiming to build well-located dwellings over five years from July 2024, supported by a $3 billion New Home Bonus for states and territories that exceed their housing targets.
• Planning reforms: Implementing a National Planning Reform Blueprint to streamline approval processes and promote medium and high-density housing in areas with existing infrastructure.
• Enhanced renters’ rights: Harmonising and strengthening renters’ rights across Australia by requiring genuine reasonable grounds for eviction, limiting rent increases to once a year, and phasing in minimum rental standards.

These initiatives represent a collaborative effort across all levels of government to address housing affordability and provide better support for renters.

As your representative, I will continue to advocate for policies that protect renters and ensure that our community has access to safe, affordable, and secure housing.

If you’re passionate about Housing and reform renters, sign up for my mailing list, and I’ll keep you up to date!