23 June 2024

In a media release today, the South Australian Government has announced the commencement of major rental reforms from 1 July 2024. This comes after earlier reforms were introduced to SA renting laws on 1 September 2023.

The July 2024 reforms also follow the State Government’s proposed bill from November 2023 to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1995, and it seems the then-proposed changes will now become law.

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

Overhaul of SA's rental laws take effect 1 July 2024

These reforms represent the biggest improvements to our rental laws since the introduction of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 and lead the nation in delivering on National Cabinet’s plan for a Better Deal for Renters.

They will improve security for tenants facing record low vacancy rates, while still ensuring the rights of landlords are protected.

From July 1:

• landlords will need prescribed grounds to terminate or not renew a tenancy

• the notice period to end a fixed tenancy will increase from 28 days to 60 days

• tenants will be allowed to have pets in rental homes with clear guidelines

• tenants’ information will be better protected

• rental properties will have to comply with minimum housing standards

• additional options will be provided for victims of domestic violence.

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

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

The state government has also increased the minimum notice to end a fixed 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.

The government has also appointed RentRight SA to be our new Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service.

Its role will be to support tenants, as well as residents of residential parks. This includes advising and advocating for them to help resolve tenancy issues before the need for tribunal action. They will also provide financial counselling, help complete forms and tenancy letters and be onsite at the tribunal as well as delivering information sessions about tenancy rights and responsibilities.

They will also inform strategic and operational policy formation at both the agency and sector level including by preparing submissions about issues affecting tenants and residents for the government's consideration.

The commencement of this suite of reforms is the largest action to date having limited the frequency of rent increases to once in a 12-month period, banning the solicitation of rent bidding and raising the bond threshold, which has already saved tenants more than $40 million since being introduced in April 2023.