Tasmania’s rental changes begin, rent increases limited to once every 12 months

Rental changes have been introduced in Tasmania, commencing today, with more potentially to come down the track.

The changes are set to introduce the country's first minimum standards for rentals, and other state and territory tenants’ unions are pushing for similar standards to be implemented elsewhere.

In Tasmania, rent can now only be increased every 12 months, where previously it could be done so every six months.

Rental properties are now required to be advertised and offered at a fixed price, with “Rent bidding and price bands for rent are no longer allowed.”

The new introduced changes to Residential Tenancy Law include some differences in notice periods, changes to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner’s role, minimum standards for premises, clarification about definitions and several provisions that are social housing specific. 

This now applies to all agreements with tenants signed from today and onwards. Those who signed prior to today will not see the changes apply until the next lease agreement is signed.

However, two changes apply to everyone – a provision allowing the changing of locks and devices where the tenant is the subject of a family violence order, and a provision stating that tenancy ceases on the death of the tenant.

Notes indicate that several minor changes relating to minimum standards and photographs will be put to Parliament before 2015.

The Residential Tenancy Commissioner now handles cases in which the tenant believes a rent increase has been excessive.

The changes also include clarification that owners should repair or replace tap washers, light globes and light tubes that are reasonably inaccessible, while tenants should replace light globes that are accessible.