Under the Greens’ policy landlords and real estate agents would be held accountable for national tenancy standards. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Greens have unveiled a policy to establish a national renters’ rights body that would enforce national tenancy standards and freeze rents.
The proposed National Renters Protection Authority (NRPA) would have the power to independently investigate and fine landlords and real estate agents up to $78,000 for breaching renters’ rights, or refer serious offenders for prosecution by states and territories.
The policy – estimated by the Parliamentary Budget Office to cost $200 million per year – would see the NRPA have 1000 staff spread across the country who would investigate rental breaches and offer advocacy, advice and education to renters.
The Greens’ NRPA would have the power to issue on-the-spot infringement notices of up to $3756 to individuals, or $18,780 to real estate agencies. Additionally, serious or repeat offenders could be fined up to $15,650 for individuals or $78,250 for agencies, and real estate agents could be subject to sanctions, have their licence to practise removed, or referred for prosecution.
Under its broader plan, the Greens said they would coordinate national tenancy standards by distributing $2.5 billion a year to the states and territories to bolster tribunals dealing with tenancy disputes, in exchange for introducing model tenancy standards.
These standards would include a two-year freeze on rent increases and an ongoing 2 per cent cap on rent increases, a right to guaranteed lease renewal, access to five-year leases, and nationwide minimum standards covering ventilation, heating, cooling and insulation.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt said renters were treated like second-class citizens by Labor and Coalition governments.
“Unlimited rent increases should be illegal,” he said.
“Unliveable rentals should be illegal. That’s what a National Renters Protection Authority would achieve.
“Labor and the Liberals think they can tinker around the edges with a fundamentally broken housing system but renters will punish them at the ballot box.”
Greens spokesperson for housing and homelessness Max Chandler-Mather said there were seven million renters who were unable to push back against unfair rent hikes, dodgy agents and landlords who never do basic repairs.
“In a system stacked against renters, the National Renters Protection Authority will fight to protect every renters’ right to a secure and affordable home,” he said.
“Any renter will be able to tell you about the terrible anxiety that comes when a landlord or real estate breaks the rules and the NRPA is about ensuring every renter has someone to call when that happens.
Mr Chandler-Mather said Australia was one of the worst places in the world to be a renter, and it desperately needed a national body with teeth to fight for renters and enforce stronger rights across the country.
“Governments treat renters’ rights like an opt-in scheme for property investors but the Greens are fighting for legal enforcement of minimum standards and limits on rent increases,” he said.
“What’s the point of minimum standards for renters if there’s nobody to call when the landlord or real estate breaks the rules?
“There will be no more pleading with the landlord to send a plumber, fix the heater or send an electrician – it’s your right to have a liveable rental home, and the Greens will make that a reality.
“Over the next 10 years Labor will give property investors $176 billion in tax handouts while millions of renters get screwed.”
