Important changes to Queensland housing legislation
Posted on June 4th, 2024
The Queensland Parliament passed the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Bill 2024 and the Homes for Queenslanders rental reforms in May.
The Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Bill 2024 will have a major impact on a small number of caravan parks. In contrast, the Homes for Queenslanders rental reforms will have a minor impact on a large number of caravan parks.
These changes will take effect on assent (expected to occur within the fortnight) or at a time to be declared by proclamation.
Caravanning Queensland have provided a high-level overview of the changes to both pieces of housing legislation. They are working with the Regulatory Services team at the Department of Housing and the Residential Tenancies Authority to get more educational materials for their members in the coming weeks. Read their newsletter here – https://clickau.actmkt.com/vh/052-9ed49e23-1c3b-4294-9237-3af94f4fe0cb?
What they know so far:
Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Bill 2024 Reforms
Park operators can no longer conduct rent reviews based on market rates.
Site rent increases cannot be higher than the current CPI or 3.5 per cent.
Home owners whose properties have been on the market for more than 18 months can participate in a buyback or site reduction scheme.
Processes for terminating site agreements and receiving compensation will be fairer for home owners.
The CPI will now be aligned more closely to the increases in the aged pension, meaning that site rent adjustments will be tied to changes in living costs for pensioners. Any reference in existing or new site agreements to the CPI will now be taken to be a reference to the ‘All Groups Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities’ published by the ABS.
In six months, further reforms will come into effect requiring multiple site rent payment options on new site agreements.
Park operators will be given 12 months to roll out these options to all existing home owners.
Homes for Queenslanders Rental Reforms
The Homes for Queenslanders Rental Reforms include a suite of changes which include:
All forms of rent bidding are banned in Queensland. This will include accepting rent offers higher than the advertised price.
Property owners can now only increase rent prices once per year on their property.
Additional reforms in the Bill passed by Parliament will come into effect on a date to be set by proclamation:
- Park operators will need to provide renters 48 hours entry notice and a prescribed form for rental home applications to access or inspect rentals
- Renters will be provided a fee-free option to pay rent and choice about how they apply for a rental property
- Reletting costs will be limited based on how long is left on a fixed-term lease
- There is a requirement in the rental bond process for park operators to provide evidence to support claims they make
The passage of the Bill also enables the government to develop a framework for parties to agree on installing modifications in rental properties, a Code of Conduct for the rental sector and a Portable Bond Scheme.
The government will undertake consultation with the sector to develop these schemes.
