New rental laws commence in South Australia on 1 July 2024 under "biggest update of rental laws" in nearly 30 years

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New rental laws commence in South Australia on 1 July 2024 under "biggest update of rental laws" in nearly 30 years

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.

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Bill introduced to amend South Australia's Residential Tenancy Act

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Bill introduced to amend South Australia's Residential Tenancy Act

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.

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NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws

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NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws

7 July 2023

After announcing its steps to further reform rules around rent bidding and introduce plans for a portable bond scheme, the NSW Government has today announced its plans to delve deeper into other potential residential tenancy reforms. Community consultation has begun to discuss topics such as:

  • Ending no-grounds evictions by requiring a reason to end a lease,

  • Making it easier for renters to have pets,

  • Protecting renters’ personal information and privacy,

  • Making it easier to transfer rental bonds from one property to another, and

  • Other ways to improve conditions for renters and take the pressure off.

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Protecting your real estate business from scam activity and fraud

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Protecting your real estate business from scam activity and fraud

21 June 2023

As technology and internet capabilities advance, it is crucial for real estate businesses to understand the ways in which they can prepare and protect personal and financial information to keep their business, clients, and tenants safe.

Fraud can arise in many forms, including through email correspondence and attachments, e-signed leases, electronic use of documents, and online banking. Agencies and their staff are increasingly susceptible to high-tech fraud that is more difficult to detect.

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May 2023 Newsletter

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May 2023 Newsletter

5 May 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Site-wide Mother’s Day discount code!

  • Industry updates: NSW Fair Trading's recommendations for the handling of personal information and tenancy applications, Changes to NSW CPD for 2023-2024.

  • Disciplinary action: Unlicensed individual acting as WA agent ordered to pay over $23,000 in fines and costs.

  • Legislative changes: Rent increase limits and minimum housing standards for Queensland tenancies.

  • Important reminder: ACT CPD due 30 June 2023 for licence holders.

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NSW Fair Trading's recommendations for the handling of personal information and tenancy applications

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NSW Fair Trading's recommendations for the handling of personal information and tenancy applications

21 April 2023

NSW Fair Trading’s latest Property Matters issue outlines the release of useful guidance material for agents. It addresses the handling of personal information and tenancy application data and clarifies:

  • what sort of information is appropriate to collect 

  • how to safely manage personal information from prospective tenants.

NSW Fair Trading states that “the guidance has been designed to step you through each stage of the tenancy application process. It includes guiding questions and best practice examples.”

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We now offer CPD for Tasmania!

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We now offer CPD for Tasmania!

1 August 2022

Attention Tasmania students! Online CPD now available 💻🆕

Licence holders and property representatives in Tasmania must complete 12 points of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training by 30 June each year, consisting of:

  • 8 points (of the 12 points) industry-specific CPD; and

  • 4 points (of the industry-specific CPD) need to be delivered by an external provider.

The term "external provider" means that the CPD activity is delivered by a person external to the organisation by which the property agent is employed.

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