In planning for the changes in 2023, we provide here some of the new changes.

Keeping of Pets

• A lessor must respond to a tenant request for a pet within 14 days
• If the lessor does not respond it is taken that the pet is approved

Grounds for refusal of a pet:-

• Keeping the pet would exceed a reasonable number of animals being kept at the premises
• The premises are unsuitable for keeping pets because of lack of appropriate fencing, open space or another thing necessary to humanely accommodate the pet
• Keeping the pet is likely to cause damage to the premises or inclusions that could not practicably be repaired for a cost that is less than the amount of the rental bond for the premises
• Keeping the pet would pose an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of a person including for example, because ethe pet is venomous
• Keeping the pet would contravene a law
• Keeping the pet would contravene a body corporate by law applying to the premises
• The tenant has not agreed to the reasonable conditions proposed by the lessor for approval to keep the pet – for example the pet must be housed outside in its own shelter.
• The animal stated in the request is not a pet

(The above does not apply if the dog is a what is classified as a working dog – an assistance dog, hearing dog, police or corrections dog)

Emergency repairs

• The emergency repair limit has now been changed from two weeks rent to four weeks rent value

Minimum housing standards

1. Weatherproof and structurally sound

• Premises must be weatherproof, structurally sound and in good repair
• Premises are not weatherproof if the roofing or windows of the premises do not prevent water entering the premises when ti rains
• Without limiting subsection (1), premises are not structurally sound if –

-A floor, wall, ceiling or roof is likely to collapse because of rot or a defect or

-A deck or stairs are likely to collapse because of rot or a defect

-A floor, wall or ceiling or other supporting structure is affected by significant dampness

-The condition of the premises is likely to cause damage to an occupants personal property

2. Fixtures and fittings

• The fixtures and fittings, including electrical appliances must be

• In good repair
• Not likely to cause injury to a person through the ordinary use of the fixtures and fittings

3. Locks on windows and doors

• Premises let or to be let under a residential tenancy agreement must have a functioning lock or latch fitted to all external windows and doors to secure the premises against unauthorised entry
• The above requirement only applies to the windows and doors that a person outside the premises can access without having to use a ladder

4. Vermin, damp and mould

• Premise must be free of vermin, damp and mould. Does not apply if vermin, damp or mould is caused by a tenant

5. Privacy

• Premises must have privacy coverings for windows in all rooms in which a tenant is reasonably to expect privacy including for example bedrooms.
• Privacy coverings for windows include any of the following:-

• Blinds
• Curtains
• Tinting
• Glass frosting
• Does not apply to a window of a room if a line of sight between a person outside the premises and a person inside the room is obstructed by a fence, hedge, tree or other feature of the property

6. Plumbing and drainage

• Premises must

• Have adequate plumbing and drainage for the number of persons occupying the premises
• Be connected to a water supply service of other infrastructure that supplies hot and cold water suitable for drinking

7. Bathroom and Toilets

• The bathroom and toilet facilities at premises must provide the user with privacy
• Each toilet must function as designed including flushing and refilling and must be connected to a sewer, septic system or other waste disposal system

8. Kitchen

• Must include a functioning cooktop

9. Laundry

• If included must include the fixtures required to provide a functional laundry other than whitegoods