In Queensland the Small Claims Tribunal has a key role in settling tenancy disputes. However tenants rarely apply to the Tribunal or attend Tribunal hearings.

The Tenants' Union of Queensland is concerned that when going to the Tribunal for a tenancy hearing tenants face many barriers, including a lack of experience, feeling intimidated and not understanding the Tribunal process.

To educate the community and assist tenants going to the Small Claims Tribunal the Tenants' Union has produced an 11 minute video, "Having Your Say".

This video provides tenants with information about the Small Claims Tribunal hearing process and offers tips on how to prepare for a tenancy hearing.

To view this video contact the Tenants' Union of Queensland or your local Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS).

To order copies of "Having Your Say" contact the Tenants' Union of Queensland. PH: 3257 1411 or email: publications@tuq.org.au.

This Tenants' Union project was funded by a community education grant from the Residential Tenancies Authority.

Earlier this year, the Minister for Housing announced his intention to review the Queensland Residential Tenancies Act. The Act itself is ten years old and the last substantial review of it occurred in 1996, with amendments commencing in 1998.

At this stage little other information is available and it is not clear when the Review will commence, although early next year seems likely.

Why have a review?
The impetus for the Review is unclear. However, it may be that it is dovetailing from the Minister's current "New Directions' process, which is re-examining what role the government will play in the housing over the coming 15 years or so. It is likely that the Department will release more information about the "New Directions" soon.

The Review is occurring in a context in which the Commonwealth government is increasing investment in monetary subsidies to tenants in the private rental market, and decreasing real funding available for the direct provision of housing by states and territories.

Opportunities
With the increasing reliance on the private rental market for expanding numbers of households, we hope the review is an opportunity to strengthen the rights of tenants, especially in regard to issues such as security of tenure.

How can we make the Act better?
The Tenants' Union is currently considering the best ways that we can work with our members, tenants and tenant advocates to provide input to the Review.

We are interested in hearing from any members who have topics they would like to have considered within the Review.

Let us know what parts of the Act you think need to be made clearer or fairer?

At this point, all you need to do is identify the topic and outline why you think it needs re-consideration. This maybe because of an experience you've had and we'd like to hear about that.
You can contact us at:
"The RTAct Review" by either writing to the Tenants' Union at 28 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley Q 4006; or, email to mail@tuq.org.au with "The RTAct Review" in the subject line.

We will keep you all posted in future issues of United Times and via the "news" section on our website for those who have access.

This year on International Tenants' Day the Tenants' Union focused on spiralling rents....

'International Tenants' Day is an opportunity to consider the plight of tenants in our state', says Tenants' Union of Queensland Coordinator, Ms Penny Carr.

'Many people are currently living in housing stress. In the five years to July 2005, median weekly rents in Queensland have increased an incredible 45.5% to $240/week',

'The largest rent increase I have personally advised on is $80 per week. Many low income tenants are struggling to find properties to suit their means'.

The Minister for Housing has recently announced a major review of the Residential Tenancies Act to commence in February 2006.

'The Tenants' Union is hoping the review of the Act will strengthen tenants' rights regarding security of tenure and offer some sort of rent control so that increases such as we have seen are curbed', said Ms Carr.

With both home purchase and the availability of public housing declining, increasing numbers of people have no option but to remain in the private rental market for long periods of time, sometimes permanently.

The International Union of Tenants (IUT) has designated the first Monday in October each year as International Tenants' Day, which this year fell on Monday 3rd October.

The IUT is an international body that represents tenant issues and promotes security of tenure and the right to affordable housing.

The IUT has affiliated member organisations around the world, including the Tenants' Union of Queensland.

The Tenants' Union of Queensland provides a free statewide telephone advice service for tenants, between 9am-4pm Monday - Friday.

In Queensland the Tenants' Union also plays an important role in speaking out on behalf of tenants in relation to tenancy issues.