E:Blast: Queensland renters deserve the right to have a place to call home – make renting fair! 

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is one of 12 community based organisations who form the Make Renting Fair Alliance today (October 25 2018) launching the “Make Renting Fair” campaign. It gives a voice to Queensland renters,

and is calling for better protections to all people living in rental properties, including people with disability.

The campaign, launched by a broad group of community based organisations, is in response to the State Government’s Open Doors to Rent Reform public consultation, calling for specific law reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act. These include preventing ‘no grounds’ evictions, restricting rent increases to once per year and requiring the owner to justify any increase 20% greater than CPI, and making it easier for renters to retrieve their bond when moving. It is vital that we act now and act together to ensure all Queensland tenants’ rights are protected.

Queenslanders with disability historically have been over represented in the rental market, and the impacts of housing affordability and accessibility. They are also part of the increasing number of Queenslanders who are renting their homes rather than owning them.

Figures incorporating the 2016 census data show the electorates of Brisbane central (53.2%), South Brisbane (52%) and Woodridge (50.8%) now have more renters than home owners.

Also making it into the top 10 rental suburbs are Bundamba (49%), Cook (48%), Southport (44.1%), Coomera (43.2%), Townsville (43%), Waterford (43%) and Cairns (41.8%).

The group of community based organisations includes Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), Tenants Queensland, Community Legal Centres Queensland, Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre, Queensland Council of Social Service, LawRight, Community Plus+ QLD, Queensland Youth Housing Coalition, Youth Affairs Network of Queensland, QShelter, Mission Australia, Hervey Bay Neigbourhood Centre, and the Brisbane Renters Alliance.

“Having a place to call home and stable affordable, accessible and safe tenancy is critical for people with disability,” said QDN CEO Paige Armstrong. “It is important that everyone has their say in this vital reform that will protect the rights of tenants and meet the needs of a growing number of Queenslander who are renting. I encourage Queenslanders with disability to have their say about what is important to ensure their rights and needs are reflected in the reforms.”

QDN’s Going for Gold: Accessible Affordable Housing Now, released in 2017 is QDN’s position paper outlining key recommendations and actions to deliver accessible, affordable, and well-positioned housing.

For more information on Make Renting Fair Queensland or to share your rental story visit www.makerentingfairqld.org.au

The campaign mirrors other successful campaigns in Victoria and New South Wales.

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