22 March 2023

In late 2022, the ACT Government announced plans to make changes to the current Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (the Act). In a media release this week, it has been confirmed that changes to tenancy legislation for the Territory will include:

• The removal of ‘no cause’ evictions,

• Prohibiting landlords and agents from asking for or encouraging rent bids,

• Allowing tenants greater freedom to grow their own food and to compost, and

• Creating a framework to support the future introduction of minimum housing standards for rental properties.

The changes are due to commence on 1 April 2023.

5 December 2022

Changes are coming to the current ACT residential tenancy legislation, the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (the Act).

The Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (the Bill) was introduced to the ACT Legislative Assembly on 30 November 2022.

The Bill proposed to:

• End no-cause evictions and introduce new ‘with cause’ termination provisions to support landlords to manage their properties

• Restrict solicited rent bidding

• Allow tenants greater freedom to grow their own food and compost

• Create a framework to support the introduction of minimum housing standards for rental properties.