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The National Renters Protection Authority (NRPA) could issue on-the-spot fines and remove a real estate agent’s licence to practise, among other punitive measures for rental breaches, if the Greens Party plan is adopted.
The Greens have revealed a new election policy ahead of the as-of-yet, undisclosed federal election date to establish the NRPA.
Proposed to enforce national tenancy standards and the proposed rent freeze and ongoing rental caps from the Greens, a statement outlining the policy shared it would “have the power to independently investigate and fine landlords and real estate agents, as well as referring serious offenders for prosecution by states and territories”.
The Greens plan to staff the authority with 1,000 people in a range of locations nationwide, with the authority able to investigate rental breaches and offer advocacy, advice and education to tenants across the country.
Having been costed up by the Parliamentary Budget Office at $200 million per year, on average, the NRPA would have the power to issue on-the-spot infringement notices of up to $3,756 to individuals, or 12 Commonwealth penalty units.
Real estate agencies could be fined up to $18,780, or 60 penalty units, while serious and/or repeat offenders could be fined up to $15,650 for individual landlords or $78,250 (60 penalty units) for agencies, with sanctions also including removal of a real estate agent’s licence to practise or referral to states and territories for prosecution.
According to the Greens, the NRPA forms part of a “broader plan to coordinate national tenancy standards by distributing $2.5 billion a year (indexed) to the states and territories”.
That’s in exchange for introducing model tenancy standards including a two-year freeze on rent increases, an ongoing 2 per cent cap on rent increases, the right to guaranteed lease renewal, access to five-year leases, and nationwide minimum standards that would cover ventilation, heating, cooling and insulation.
The Greens believe the NRPA will assist in enforcing the new standards, while the $2.5 billion a year will also partly go towards improving state and territory tribunals that are dealing with tenancy disputes.
They reported: “The NRPA would be the first port of call for renters nationwide facing unfair rent hikes, retaliatory evictions, unfair bond claims, landlords who won’t make essential repairs or a notice to leave without reason.”
Pointing out “zero protection against unlimited rent increases and nothing to stop renters being forced to move without warning every year” across much of the country, they have criticised Labor’s A Better Deal for Renters as doing nothing to move the dial.
According to Adam Bandt MP, leader of the Greens, “for too long renters have been treated like second-class citizens by both Labor and the Liberals”.
“Unlimited rent increases should be illegal. Unliveable rentals should be illegal. That’s what a National Renters Protection Authority would achieve,” he remarked.
Greens spokesman for housing and homelessness and the MP for Griffith, Max Chandler-Mather, said: “Across this country, there are 7 million renters who are powerless in their own home.
“In a system stacked against renters, the National Renters Protection Authority will fight to protect every renters’ right to a secure and affordable home.”
Calling Australia “one of the worst places in the world to be a renter”, Chandler-Mather said “we desperately need a national body with teeth to fight in their corner and enforce stronger renters rights across the country”.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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