It will come as no surprise to most renters that the number of people living in rental accommodation in Australia is increasing. Currently, about one-third of Australians live in private rental properties or government housing, and over 10 per cent of them are paying more than 30 per cent of their income in rent. This means that saving up for a deposit to buy a house may not be on the immediate horizon for many and it becomes increasingly important to know how to make the best of living life as a tenant.

Fortunately, rental reforms are making inroads into a more balanced and equitable system. In Victoria alone, there have been 130 amendments implemented or scheduled to be, which will strengthen tenants rights. Likewise in the ACT and other states, reforms will see:

• *  a limit to rent increases
• *  more lenient pet ownership laws
• *  provisions for tenants to make minor modifications to a property.

If you are moving into your first rental property or even if you are a seasoned renter, we have compiled a few helpful tips to improve your tenancy experience in 2019.  

Moving matters

The crossover period between rental properties has always been a huge bugbear for renters. Innovative logistic solutions such as mobile self storage services are providing renters with a more flexible and convenient way to transition between properties. Moving house need no longer mean hiring two sweaty men to transport your precious belongings!

Instead, you can have a custom size box delivered to your property, giving you the luxury to pack it yourself (or they will do it for you) and when you are ready it can be either transported to your new address or popped into secure storage - quick, safe and fuss-free!

The use of custom boxes means:

• *  No need to hire a moving van
• *  No panic to pack
• *  No double handling when using a storage facility
• *  The ability to easily transport boxes locally or interstate.

Security Bond

Unless there has been a particular application to the contrary, bonds will be capped at one month's rent. One of the most difficult thing for renters is recouping their bond in order to roll it over to a new property. The four weeks rent representing the bond can be thousands of dollars and having this cash released quickly, so it can be passed on to the new landlord or agent, is another reform which has been addressed to assist tenants.

Tenants now have a more equitable system to retain their bond, and agents or landlords will have to apply to the state’s tribunal body to retain part or all of the security bond.

It has been a   belief among renters that when vacating a property, they are obliged to steam clean carpets and drapes, further adding to the financial strain which may be experienced at this time. In reality, the tenant is required to leave the carpet in ‘reasonable’ condition. Even if stipulated in the lease, steam cleaning is not a legal requirement unless significant cleaning is required.

Policy changes

Many of the proposed changes to tenancy laws are being implemented to strengthen tenants rights. The following is a list of some proposed reforms, however, state legislation may differ and you will need to check whether your state is covered by these changes:

• *  Providing tenants more scope to make minor changes or modification to the property
• *  Longer lease terms
• *  For tenancies less than $760 per week, the bond is capped at the equivalent of one month rent
• *  Rental bidding banned
• *  Removal on the 120-day Notice to Vacate for ‘No Specified Reason’
• *  In the case of emergency repairs, faster reimbursement for tenants
• *  Restricting landlords ability to unreasonably refuse pets
• *  Increases in rent restricted to once per year
• *  Making agents and landlords accountable by building a ‘blacklist’ of those who have breached their legal obligations

As mentioned, the above information is ‘state specific’ and it pays to check tenants rights in your locale. There are many upsides to renting, including avoiding land tax and rates as well as being immune to the vagaries of the property market. As more people choose to rent and governing bodies become more responsive to tenants rights, it pays to keep yourself informed to enjoy successful, stress-free tenancies.