New Tenancy Law Regulations – have your say

The Residential Tenancies Amendment (Review) Act 2018 passed late last year – containing a number of positive changes, and some shortcomings. Some of the changes have already come into effect – namely the very positive provisions to protect victim-survivors of domestic violence.

It is anticipated that the rest of the changes will come into effect later this year. Regulations are currently being drafted; we encourage you to have your say via the Fair Trading website (before 2nd August).

Liv Todhunter, Tenant Advocate and Team Leader at the Illawarra and South Coast Tenants’ Advice Service spoke to the Illawarra Mercurcy about the changes. One concern she raises is around increasing the jurisdictional limit for bond and general claims, and another concern is the price tenants pay for heating water in social housing properties where the water is heated by gas.

"Tenants in social housing are already paying far too much for inefficient and outdated utilities, and this exemption would only absolve social housing of the motivation to update and better regulate these systems." Liv says.

Liv also points to “NSW lagging behind other states in terms of pet-friendly tenancies" – which is definitely a major issue for many renters and our fluffy companions.

Read more in the Illawarra Mercury.