New Housing Bill prevents Queensland landlords from refusing pets.

With the passing of the Housing Legislation Amendment Bill, Queensland landlords will no longer be able to reject tenants for having pets in the rental properties without a reason deemed valid by the state government.

The Queensland Government recognises that pets provide companionship and security, and contribute to many people’s health and wellbeing and said that the changes would modernise the laws for 34% of the Queenslanders living in rental properties.

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland warned that the bill may be the “last straw” for investors to sell their properties. The Bill was presented by Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch introducing a range of additional laws in Queensland rental laws such as protections for those experiencing domestic violence: -

“We know that this change will make a big difference to the lives of many people…COVID has reinforced how important pets can be for people’s wellbeing, which is why this is an important inclusion in the bill.”

Tenants can have pets in rental properties and landlords can only refuse if they give a valid reason deemed by the government. Reasons may include lack of fencing and appropriate space for pets, health and safety risks, or if pet is likely to cause damage beyond repair.

If the landlord does not respond to a tenant’s request to have a pet on the property for 14 days, the application deemed to be approved.

In opposition to this Bill is housing spokesperson, Tim Mander who stated that:-

“"We all know that animals cause damage and we all know that you can enter a house and know immediately that a dog's been in this house or a cat's been in this house because of the odour. The landlord, the property owner, the lessor deserves to retain the right for that not to happen."

But Greens MP Amy MacMahon, who failed in her attempt to delay the bill until MPs who were landlords – about one in three – excused themselves from debate, said it did nothing to address the unequal power relationship between lessors and tenants.

“The power around pets sits firmly with property investors and landlords,” she said.

Ms MacMahon hoped to move amendments that would have allowed tenants to keep pets unless their landlord successfully applied to QCAT for an order to the contrary, but was unsuccessful.

Other key features of the bill include-

·      Tenants experiencing domestic violence can end lease with 7 days’ notice

·      No evictions without grounds evictions

·      More reasons to end tenancies

·      Strengthening housing regulations by fining landlord up to $6,850 if repairs are not complete

Courtesy of Arial Ng.

Main Source: ABC