Attorney-General, Gordon Ramsay has announced a suite of changes to the Territory’s laws governing the rental of residential properties.
Mr Ramsay said the reforms would protect renters from excessive rent increases; strengthen renters’ right to have a pet; enable renters to make minor modifications to their home; and make it easier for renters to break leases without incurring significant costs.
“As more and more people choose to rent in our community, it’s important that we consider their wellbeing by introducing measures to help make their house a home,” Mr Ramsay said.
“The reforms do this by introducing a presumption in favour of tenants keeping pets in their rented properties, unless the tenancy agreement specifically requires landlord consent.”
He said that under the changes, a landlord could only refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet if they had obtained prior approval from the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
“ACAT will consider factors including whether the premises are suitable for animals, or if keeping the animal would pose an unacceptable risk to public health or safety,” Mr Ramsay said.
“Landlords will also be able to set reasonable conditions around the number of animals kept, and the associated cleaning and maintenance requirements.
“Tenants will be liable for any damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.”
He said tenants would need landlord approval to modify their rental property, and would be required to restore any modifications such as painted walls to the original condition, unless otherwise agreed with the lessor.
“If the landlord wants to increase the rent by more than 10 per cent above the rate of inflation, they will need to justify this decision with ACAT, unless the tenant agrees to the increase,” Mr Ramsay said.
