1 November 2023

In a media release today, the South Australian Government has announced the introduction of “landmark rental reforms” to parliament as part of its commitment to improving housing outcomes in the rental market.

Under the proposed bill to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1995, changes to legislation would include:

• introducing prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy

• extending the notice period to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days

• allowing tenants to have pets in rental homes with reasonable conditions

• protecting tenants’ information

• ensuring rental properties comply with minimum housing standards

• providing additional support for victims of domestic violence.

A new tenant advocacy service will also be introduced under the reforms. Support would be provided to tenants by:

• educating and informing tenants

• advising and supporting tenants to resolve tenancy issues

• assisting tenants with completing tenancy forms or drafting tenancy-related letters

• supporting tenants at tribunal hearings

• policy development and advocacy.

Consumer and Business Services (CBS) reports on the media release as follows:

Landmark rental reforms introduced to parliament

The most significant reforms to South Australia’s residential tenancy laws in a generation have been introduced to parliament to help address South Australia’s rental crisis.

Today’s introduction of the landmark rental reforms by the Government of South Australia is a bid to improve security for tenants while balancing the rights of landlords.  South Australia is facing a record low vacancy rate of less than 1 per cent.

The bill to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 will, amongst other things:

• introduce prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy

• extend the notice period to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days

• allow tenants to have pets in rental homes with reasonable conditions

• protect tenants’ information

• ensure rental properties comply with minimum housing standards

• provide additional support for victims of domestic violence.

Under the reforms, landlords will only be able to end a periodic tenancy or to not renew a fixed term lease for a prescribed reason including breaches by the tenant, wanting to sell, renovate or occupy the property.

The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2023 also proposes to increase the minimum notice to end a tenancy from 28 days to 60 days so tenants will have more time to secure a new home and make the necessary arrangements to move.

For the first time, tenants will be allowed to keep pets in rental properties in South Australia with reasonable conditions to be set by their landlord such as keeping the animal outside or having the carpets cleaned at the end of the tenancy.

The government will support a new tenant advocacy service. The service will support tenants by:

• educating and informing tenants

• advising and supporting tenants to resolve tenancy issues

• assisting tenants with completing tenancy forms or drafting tenancy related letters

• supporting tenants at tribunal hearings

• policy development and advocacy.

This suite of reforms follows the government’s earlier moves to address rental affordability including banning rent bidding and raising the bond threshold, which has already saved tenants more than $11.5 million since being introduced in April 2023.

Learn more about the Review of SA’s renting laws webpage.