Queensland landlords stripped of automatic refusal on pets in rental properties under new housing bill
- Landlords have no automatic refusal on pets in rentals
- The bill offers DV victims the right to leave on a week’s notice or change locks
- Tenants can terminate a lease if a property doesn’t meet minimum standards
Queensland landlords will no longer be allowed to refuse pets in rental properties without a reason deemed valid by the state government. The Housing Legislation Amendment Bill has passed in Parliament after two days of debate. The bill, presented by Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch, brings in a raft of changes to Queensland rental laws, including protections for those experiencing domestic violence.
Under the bill:
Tenants can have pets unless landlords provide a valid reason to refuse
- Tenants experiencing domestic violence can end a lease with just seven days’ notice
- No evictions without grounds evictions
- Added reasons for landlords and tenants to end tenancies
- Strengthening housing standards by fining landlords up to $6,850 if repairs aren’t completed
PETS
Some Valid reasons for refusing pets include a lack of fencing or appropriate space for the pet, health and safety risks, or if the pet is likely to cause damage beyond repair. If a landlord does not respond to a tenant’s request to have a pet on their property within 14 days, the tenant can assume the application has been approved.
DV PROTECTION
The legislation gives tenants experiencing domestic violence (DV) the right to end a lease with a week’s notice. They will also be able to change the locks on a property without consent from the landlord.
NOTED CHANGES
While landlords will not be allowed to end a tenancy without grounds, the bill adds a suite of new reasons tenancies can be terminated by either landlords or tenants.
Landlords can end a lease agreement if significant repair works need to be done, the property is subject to redevelopment, or if the owner or an immediate family member needs to move into the property.
The landlord must give tenants at least two months’ notice of termination and a tenancy cannot end before the lease is up without the tenant agreeing to it.
Renters have new reasons to leave a property, including if it is in disrepair and does not meet minimum housing standards.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella said while the bill is a vast improvement and represents a more balanced position on the tenancy reforms first proposed by the ALP, it still “swings the pendulum distinctly in favour of the tenant”.
