Housing

In a small step to improve rental conditions, Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, the WA Greens housing spokesperson, has successfully amended the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2011 so that option fees paid by prospective tenants must be refunded within 7 days if their application is rejected. Option fees are commonly charged by real estate agents and are intended to cover the cost of finding another tenant if a prospective tenant subsequently turns down the property. The amendment was successfully moved in the Legislative Council last night and must now pass the Legislative Assembly.

“This will help reduce the risk of homelessness among lower income prospective tenants who may struggle to pay multiple option fees,” said Ms MacLaren. Read more »

The Greens in Parliament will act to strengthen tenant’s rights during this week’s debate on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2011 (RTA Bill) by moving to scrap the Government’s controversial proposed eviction powers, abolish option fees and place new time limits on keeping details about minors on tenant databases.

Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, the Greens spokesperson for housing said the Government’s plan to have the courts rule on ‘objectionable behaviour’ is “heavy-handed, untested, and may lead to higher rates of homelessness in an extremely tight rental housing market.”

“Nearly 90 percent of Perth’s real estate is now out of reach for key and essential workers including police officers, teachers and nurses. More and more people rely on rental accommodation, making it all the more important that tenants’ rights are properly protected,” said Ms MacLaren. Read more »