In the blog earlier this week, we looked at recent reforms to 'no grounds' provisions in Queensland tenancy law. Today, we continue the conversation and consider attempts to reform tenancy law to remove 'no grounds' provisions in other Australian jurisdictions. We dive even deeper into the problem of 'no grounds' in fixed term tenancies to examine why and how these reform attempts have, so far, fallen short. 

Did we miss something? Queensland reforms tenancy laws

If you’ve been following the news about recent reforms to Queensland tenancy laws lately you’d be forgiven for thinking there had been a big win for renters we’d somehow missed or forgotten to celebrate. The ABC reported removing ‘eviction without grounds’ was among a raft of changes to the state’s rental laws successfully passed through Queensland Parliament.

In recent years there have been plenty of articles in the media about older women who suddenly find themselves facing homelessness. One recent article looked at the experience of women in Byron Bay on the NSW North Coast.

Justin Abi-Daher, Marrickville Legal Centre

Recently, we were made aware of a residential complex in Sydney that is requiring that all persons entering the building must be vaccinated, which raised the question can an owners corporation mandate vaccination for residents of an apartment building (owners and tenants)? 

International students in Australia make a huge contribution to the economy and the community. Many face serious struggles and hardships. Finding and keeping rental accommodation is one of the major hidden risks they face. COVID-19 has made it even riskier.

Will this be you? This is a hypothetical, but it could be working itself out in practice any time soon.

VALE JOHN MANT, 1936-2021: The tenants of New South Wales owe a big thankyou to John Mant who died on 10 July, aged 84. He left a legacy still in the making, especially in the field of urban planning. With a passion for public policy and social justice, he claimed many distinctions as lawyer, planner, public servant, and politician. He was Gough Whitlam’s Principal Private Secretary on dismissal day, 11 November 1975.

Riley Brooke

The Northern Rivers region is beset by soaring rental prices, social housing issues, a crisis of housing instability and homelessness. In this article Sally Latter, Coordinator of the Northern Rivers Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, shows why it's time to end no-grounds evictions and transform the housing system.