The Tenants' Union of Queensland today welcomed the Premier's release of the Residential Tenancies Act Policy Review Paper. The need for a Review is reflected in the significant changes in the housing market since the 1994 Act was consulted, with increasing numbers of people staying long term or permanently in private rental.

The Tenants' Union spokesperson, Ms Penny Carr, said "It is our view there are three key reform issues, all of which are interrelated. Together, changes in these areas would result in a more even playing field for tenants and allow them to pursue their rights without unreasonable fear of eviction".

These three issues are:

Evictions: ensuring all evictions have a just and sound reason (and removing the availability of eviction without ground) and the increase of no-fault eviction time periods.

Secondly: rent increases should be limited to one per year with a standard notice period of the increase being three months. Every increase which is considered unreasonable should be able to be challenged in the Tribunal and it should be the lessor/agent's responsibility to prove its reasonableness rather than the tenant proving it is unreasonable.

Finally, a new Tribunal system be implemented which allows for access to previous decisions and error of law appeals.

The discussion paper canvasses a range of issues, including a number of positive proposals in terms of bringing about a more even playing field for tenants. However Ms Carr noted, 'The Premier has released this as a discussion paper and we are hopeful to achieve a few more protections for tenants before any final decisions are made'.

Further, we encourage as many tenants as possible to make submissions on any issues of concern to them.

Copies of the discussion paper are available by calling the Residential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311 or downloading it from the website.

Submissions are due on June 22.

Click here for a copy of the RTA Discussion paper

When the review of the legislation was announced, the Government called for submissions as to what should be in the new legislation. The Tenants' Union provided the Government with a submission for that stage of the process. The TU will do another submission in response the paper just released.

Tenants can have input into this process by making their own submissions or contacting the TU to incorporate their views with the TU submission.

Click here for a copy of the TU's previous submission from April 2006.