Labour has confirmed it will scrap no-cause terminations and introduce wider rental reforms if it forms the next government after next month’s election.
As first reported by Tenancy, the termination changes would mark a return to the approach introduced by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020, requiring landlords to give specified grounds for ending periodic tenancies.
Labour would restore 63 days’ notice when owners or their family want to move in, and 90 days for sale, renovation or change of use.
There is, however, no mention of whether Labour would amend section 60A to require landlords to give a reason for ending a tenancy at the expiry of its fixed term.
It also proposes a landlord duty of care to keep rentals safe and address serious hazards, alongside a requirement for proper curtains or blinds under the Healthy Homes Standards.
Insurers would be prevented from requiring routine rental inspections more frequently than every six months.
Labour also promises clear rules for property managers, stronger oversight of boarding houses and a requirement for landlords to act on serious anti-social behaviour affecting neighbours.
The policy sets out these commitments, although the detailed requirements and enforcement mechanisms remain to be seen.
The National-led coalition, on the other hand, appears likely to retain its current RTA settings if it forms the next government.
It drove the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024, which introduced new pet laws and restored landlords’ ability to end periodic tenancies without giving a reason, provided they give 90 days’ notice.
This article is authorised by the Tenancy Practice Service. For contact details please visit HERE
