Western Australia is implementing new tenancy regulations that will impact Landlords, Tenants and Property Managers, these new regulations will be rolled out in stages;
Stage 1 – commenced 16th May 2024
Rent bidding ban
Landlords and Property Managers will be prohibited from pressuring potential tenants to offer above the advertised rent – tenants are still able to offer more voluntarily. Additionally we will no longer see a price range or a rent from figure advertised, a set amount must be transparent and communicated.
Retaliatory Action
Tenants will be able to challenge an action they believe to be in retaliation to them exercising their rental rights.
Stage 2 – commencing July 2024
Rent increases limited to every 12 months
Rent can only be increased every 12 months, this has been on the table for a long time and is more consistent with Lease Renewals. The rent increase must be communicated via the required notice period, Property Managers and private landlords must schedule in their rent review dates in line with required notice periods. Previously we have been allowed to increase rents every 6 months.
Pets Welcome
These new reforms allows more flexibility for tenants to keep pets, property owners can still impose certain ‘reasonable conditions’ on having said pet. The good news.. the new reforms allows us, the Property Managers or private Landlords to recoup from the regular bond any expense due to keeping the pet, damage, cleaning or fumigation that may be over and above the pet bond held.
Home sweet home
Small personalised changes (known as minor modifications) will be allowed in most cases, tenants must still seek permission, owners can still deny the request as long as the denial is reasonable, this will be determined by the Commissioner. At the end of the tenancy, a tenant will have to remove any changes made and restore the premises to its original condition. For example remove picture hooks, fill in holes and repaint the wall.
Stage 3 – commencing January to July 2025
Bond Release
Tenants, Landlords and Property will be able to apply for the release of the bond, this will hopefully streamline the bond disposal process and minimise/ prevent disputes.
So, what can Landlords do?
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If you would like to find out more visit the commerce website.
We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions or concerns, contact our office through our contact page on our website or call our team at the office 9444 2000.