South Australian government's commitment to improving housing outcomes

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South Australian government's commitment to improving housing outcomes

27 September 2023

In its latest issue of ‘CBS Connect’, South Australia’s Consumer and Business Services (CBS) announces the State’s commitment to greater protection for prospective tenants.

Earlier this month, we reported on new laws surrounding the prohibition of rent bidding in South Australia, which commenced on 1 September 2023. CBS has since clarified further commitments to improving housing outcomes for tenants and prospective tenants.

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September 2023 Newsletter

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September 2023 Newsletter

1 September 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Industry updates: NSW licensees in charge: Ensure assistant agents are qualified by March 2024 // NSW Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for multi-licence holders clarified.

  • Disciplinary action: Queensland Fair Trading charges Cairns real estate agent over 13 offences.

  • Legislative changes: Further reforms to rent bidding in NSW // Rent bidding illegal in South Australia from 1 September 2023 // New laws around minimum housing standards commence 1 September 2023 in Queensland.

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Rent bidding illegal in South Australia from 1 September 2023

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Rent bidding illegal in South Australia from 1 September 2023

1 September 2023

After placing a ban on rent bidding in July, South Australia Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has today announced that the practice of rent bidding is officially illegal in the state of South Australia. A landlord or agent found to be soliciting rent bids may be fined up to $20,000.

According to CBS, under the reforms:

  • Landlords or agents must now advertise premises at a fixed amount and must not solicit or otherwise invite an offer for higher rent. This means landlords are no longer able to advertise properties with a rent range, put properties up for rent auction, or solicit offers over the advertised rental price.

  • Additionally, where a third party is facilitating tenancy applications, any rating or assessment of a prospective tenant must not be based on an offer of higher rent.

  • A penalty of up to $20,000 will apply for breaches of the new rent bidding laws.

  • This significant reform brings South Australia in line with other Australian jurisdictions.

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Further reforms to rent bidding in NSW

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Further reforms to rent bidding in NSW

31 August 2023

In the latest issue of ‘Property Matters’, the NSW Government has outlined the progress it has made in strengthening the rules around rent bidding in the state.

Two significant updates to the rent bidding laws started on Thursday 3 August 2023: 

  • Advertisements for residential rental properties must have a fixed price.

  • It is unlawful for anyone, including landlords and digital rental application providers, to invite or ask for offers of rent for residential premises higher than the advertised price. 

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August 2023 Newsletter

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August 2023 Newsletter

4 August 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Industry updates: NSW Government announces change to temporary accommodation access support people in crisis // NSW Government introduces rental commissioner role // Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority reports over 114,000 outstanding bond payments // NSW stock agent news: Sheep and goat electronic ID grants open for saleyards and processors

  • Disciplinary action: Victorian agents hit with over $500k in fines for underquoting // Consumer Affairs Victoria commences action against agency for practising while unlicensed.

  • Legislative changes: NSW Government engages community consultation for further changes to rental laws // No-cause evictions to be banned in South Australia.

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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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July 2023 Newsletter

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July 2023 Newsletter

7 July 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Site-wide discount to celebrate World Chocolate Day! 🍫

  • Industry updates: Over $300,000 stolen from WA real estate trust account by scammers // Update on NSW rent bidding ban compliance.

  • Disciplinary action: NSW real estate agent sentenced to two years imprisonment following 121 counts of fraud // Former Victorian estate agents representative banned from industry for 10 years, fined $2,500 // Former Victorian agent sentenced for misuse of over $100,000 in trust money.

  • Legislative changes: Rent bidding banned in South Australia // New laws around rent increase frequency for Queensland commenced 1 July 2023.

  • Feature blog: ‘Protecting your real estate business from scam activity and fraud’.

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Rent bidding banned in South Australia

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Rent bidding banned in South Australia

27 June 2023

In a media release today, South Australia Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has announced that rent bidding within the South Australian rental market is now prohibited. Landlords and agents will no longer be able to:

  • advertise properties with a rent range,

  • put properties up for rent auction, or

  • solicit offers over the advertised rental price.

The new laws will also prevent third-party tenancy application platforms from rating or assessing a prospective tenant based on an offer of higher rent.

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How compliant are NSW agents under the new rent bidding laws?

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How compliant are NSW agents under the new rent bidding laws?

27 June 2023

NSW Fair Trading has released a report after monitoring the conduct of agents under the new rent bidding laws introduced late last year. Fair Trading announced earlier this year that they would be undertaking a ‘rent bidding compliance program’.

In their latest Property Matters issue, NSW Fair Trading reports that inspectors recently conducted 76 undercover inspections at open homes and reviewed over 1,100 online rental advertisements. It was found that 98% of agents visited were complying with the ban on solicited rental bids.

Further reform to the rules around rent bidding will be carried out under a new bill, which was introduced to NSW Parliament last month.

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WA Consumer Protection announces changes to tenancy laws

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WA Consumer Protection announces changes to tenancy laws

26 May 2023

Significant changes to Western Australian tenancy laws have been announced, in an effort to “improve rights for renters and provide certainty for landlords”.

The changes centre around prohibiting the practice of rent bidding, reducing the frequency at which rent may be increased, and allowing greater freedom for tenants around making minor modifications to a rental property and keeping pets on premises.

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NSW portable bond scheme and further reform to recent laws around rent bidding

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NSW portable bond scheme and further reform to recent laws around rent bidding

10 May 2023

Following the NSW Government’s recent move to make solicited rent bidding on rental properties illegal, the Government will today introduce a bill to NSW Parliament with the aim of providing cost-of-living relief and better protection to NSW renters.

Not only does the legislation aim to eliminate the practice of secret rent bidding, it will also mark the first stages of the development of a portable bond scheme.

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April 2023 Newsletter

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April 2023 Newsletter

6 April 2023

Newsletter snapshot:

  • Site-wide Easter long weekend discount code!

  • Industry updates: WA Government reports $4 million in bond money waiting to be claimed by tenants and landlords.

  • Disciplinary action: Former Victorian agent faces over 900 charges relating to trust fund misuse.

  • Legislative changes: ACT tenancy reforms commenced 1 April 2023, Reforms to South Australian renting law officially underway.

  • Employment opportunity: Ingleburn NSW, Full-time Property Manager with Linkers Real Estate

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