Media Release
3 April 2014
Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller has introduced a Private
Member’s Bill into the Parliament, calling for new laws that will crack
down on so-called ‘slumlords’ – landlords that don’t provide an
appropriate standard of housing for tenants.
“This Bill is about establishing a minimum standard of housing for residential accommodation across the state,” Mrs Miller said.
“We’ve all seen television stories of fellow Queenslanders living in squalor thanks to the lack of responsibility from landlords, much to the detriment of their health and that of their family.
“This isn’t about making life tough for landlords. In the vast majority of cases, these basic standards of living will already be being met.
“But we can’t let the slumlords out there get away with providing substandard living conditions while pocketing rent, simply because those tenants can’t afford anywhere else.
“By putting in place a minimum standard for rental accommodation for things like sanitation, ventilation and insulation, we can ensure that these standards are enforceable and therefore provide a healthy and safe place for all Queenslanders to live.”
Mrs Miller said even at the lowest end of the rental market where renters are the most vulnerable, landlords should have a duty of care to ensure an adequate standard of living.
“Having access to stable, adequate shelter shouldn’t be an optional extra, it should come standard.
“By providing a clean, safe and structurally sound environment, we can provide the start many families need to improve their standard of living.
“The LNP Government has had a woeful attitude towards housing standards since they’re elected, but I’m asking them to work with Labor and support this Bill in the best interests of vulnerable Queenslanders.”
The Bill will amend the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. This will allow the Minister to prescribe minimum standards for private rental accommodation, both standard housing and rooming accommodation, by regulation, in relation to matters including, for example, the following—
- sanitation, drainage, cleanliness and repair of premises;
- ventilation and insulation;
- protection from damp and its effects;
- construction, condition, structures, safety and situation of premises;
- the dimensions, cubical extent and height of rooms in the premises;
- privacy and security;
- provision of water supply, storage and sanitary facilities;
- laundry and cooking facilities;
- lighting; and
- freedom from vermin infestation.
The Bill has now been referred to Parliament’s Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee to allow for consultation with stakeholders and the public.
“This Bill is about establishing a minimum standard of housing for residential accommodation across the state,” Mrs Miller said.
“We’ve all seen television stories of fellow Queenslanders living in squalor thanks to the lack of responsibility from landlords, much to the detriment of their health and that of their family.
“This isn’t about making life tough for landlords. In the vast majority of cases, these basic standards of living will already be being met.
“But we can’t let the slumlords out there get away with providing substandard living conditions while pocketing rent, simply because those tenants can’t afford anywhere else.
“By putting in place a minimum standard for rental accommodation for things like sanitation, ventilation and insulation, we can ensure that these standards are enforceable and therefore provide a healthy and safe place for all Queenslanders to live.”
Mrs Miller said even at the lowest end of the rental market where renters are the most vulnerable, landlords should have a duty of care to ensure an adequate standard of living.
“Having access to stable, adequate shelter shouldn’t be an optional extra, it should come standard.
“By providing a clean, safe and structurally sound environment, we can provide the start many families need to improve their standard of living.
“The LNP Government has had a woeful attitude towards housing standards since they’re elected, but I’m asking them to work with Labor and support this Bill in the best interests of vulnerable Queenslanders.”
The Bill will amend the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. This will allow the Minister to prescribe minimum standards for private rental accommodation, both standard housing and rooming accommodation, by regulation, in relation to matters including, for example, the following—
- sanitation, drainage, cleanliness and repair of premises;
- ventilation and insulation;
- protection from damp and its effects;
- construction, condition, structures, safety and situation of premises;
- the dimensions, cubical extent and height of rooms in the premises;
- privacy and security;
- provision of water supply, storage and sanitary facilities;
- laundry and cooking facilities;
- lighting; and
- freedom from vermin infestation.
The Bill has now been referred to Parliament’s Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee to allow for consultation with stakeholders and the public.
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