The proposal seeks to implement, oversee and enforce national renter’s rights. It has 2 components:

Component 1: Commonwealth grants to states and territories to ensure a rental freeze

• Provide $2.5 billion a year (indexed to the Consumer Price Index, CPI) in housing grants to the states and territories to implement uniform tenancy standards nationwide, which would include:
  • A freeze on rental increases at January 2023 levels for two years, followed by a limit on rental increases of 2% every 2 years.
    • Both the freeze and the ongoing limits to be attached to the property, not the specific tenancy or lease.
    • Freeze and ongoing cap to apply to newly rented or substantially renovated properties, with starting rents are set at the median rent for the area and property type.
  • Giving tenants the guaranteed right to lease renewal and presumed right to 5 year leases.
  • Minimum standards covering ventilation, adequate heating, cooling and insulation sufficient for a changing climate, freedom from mould and adequate bathrooms, kitchens and security.
  • Genuine end to no-grounds evictions, including at the end of a fixed term lease.
    • Grounds for eviction to be clearly defined, with a requirement for a landlord to prove that the ground can be established. Grounds limited to:
      • landlord or immediate family member moving into the property
      • demolition of the property
      • reconstruction and renovation of the property only where the work cannot be carried out unless the property is vacated, and only where relevant permits have been obtained
      • sale of property is not a ground for eviction. Where a property is sold, the tenant retains possession unless the new owner establishes a ground for eviction
      • un-remediated serious tenant breach.
• This housing grant funding could be spent on building and maintaining public housing, as well as adequately funding tenancy authorities and tribunals to ensure rent caps and standards are enforced.

 Component 2: Enforcement framework

• The Commonwealth will establish a National Renters Protection Authority of 1,000 FTE to implement and oversee nationwide rights and rent controls, including:
  • independently investigating breaches of rental law
  • issuing infringement notices and fines against landlords and real estate agencies
  • providing education, information and advocacy to tenants
  • advising on tenancy policy matters.

Funding would be ongoing for both components.

The proposal would start from 1 July 2025.