Amidst South Australia’s ongoing rental crisis, the Government has taken action to fortify tenant protections, with new laws coming into effect as of March 1st.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in addressing the state’s rental challenges, following the first major review of rental laws in a generation.
Key changes to the legislation include stringent measures aimed at curbing landlord misconduct and enhancing tenant rights. Here are some of the notable reforms:
- Annual Rent Increases: Landlords are now restricted to increasing rent once a year, eliminating the provision for multiple increases with tenant consent.
- Increased Penalties: Landlords breaching rental laws could face penalties of up to $50,000, a substantial increase from previous limits.
- Tenant Protection: Stricter penalties are imposed on landlords discriminating against potential tenants with children or demanding excessive upfront payments.
- Damage Compensation: Tenants causing intentional serious damage to rental properties could face fines of up to $25,000.
- Enforcement and Compliance: Landlords failing to offer free rent payment methods or seeking multiple bond payments now face fines up to $35,000.
Further reforms slated for later this year aim to bolster tenant security and well-being:
- Reasonable Lease Termination: Leases cannot be terminated without prescribed reasons.
- Extended Notice Period: The notice period to end a tenancy will be extended from 28 days to 60 days.
- Pet-Friendly Rentals: Tenants will be allowed to have pets in rental homes with reasonable conditions.
- Data Protection: Reforms to safeguard prospective tenants’ information.
- Minimum Housing Standards: Ensuring rental properties comply with minimum housing standards.
- Domestic Violence Support: Additional support for victims of domestic violence.
These reforms build upon the government’s earlier efforts to address rental affordability, including measures such as banning rent bidding and raising the bond threshold. Since their introduction in April 2023, these initiatives have saved tenants millions of dollars.
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