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As the Queensland government gears up for the second stage of rental reforms, the state’s peak real estate body gathered key housing stakeholders to find a “common ground” on the proposed changes.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) hosted a forum that saw representatives from 16 organisations come together to discuss the upcoming stage two of rental reforms, which are expected to address minor modifications in relation to rental properties.
According to REIQ, the state government’s proposal to allow tenants to make minor modifications to rental properties without approval from the property owner or would allow fast-tracked approval has been a “hot button” issue among key stakeholders.
The state’s peak body for real estate added that the complex nature of its implementation, as well as the “differing viewpoints” of stakeholders that will be impacted by the proposed changes, has also caused the measure to be scrapped from the stage one of the rental reforms.
REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella said the stakeholder forum allowed involved organisations — which included people with disability, community and tenancy housing peak bodies, homelessness organisations, property owners/investors and property managers — to benefit from gained perspective and better appreciate the shared areas of alignment in their respective positions.
“We hope to lead by example by initiating this crucial stakeholder consultation, to kick-start positive and open discussion that recognises the valuable input stakeholders bring to the table from the informed perspective of the members they represent,” Ms Mercorella said.
According to REIQ, the forum served as an avenue for all involved parties to ensure that their “voices will be heard” and to pinpoint areas where they are in agreement.
“The forum set out to unpick our pain points with the Queensland government’s recommended legislative changes, raise practical considerations that need to be ironed out, and ultimately to provide a well-rounded, considered approach in our individual feedback,” it said.
Notably, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) co-hosted the forum, as the advocacy group pushes for the delivery of disability minor modifications rental reforms that enable safety and accessibility for people with disability.
After the ability to undertake minor modifications had been removed from the rental reform proposals on 21 June 2021, chief executive of QDN Paige Armstrong expressed her concern that people with disability will be negatively impacted.
“Minor modifications like the addition of a shower or other rails make places safer for tenants with little impact upon the appearance and structural integrity of a property,” Ms Armstrong said.
She also revealed people with disability are often reluctant to contact their real estate in fear of a “backlash”, such as getting their tenancy terminated or not renewing their lease.
Now, QDN’s acting chief executive Michelle Moss said that the forum had given the sector a new opportunity to “discuss and find common ground on a number of issues”.
“QDN members with disability appreciated putting their issues and concerns on the table and having this listened to and heard in the spirit of working together,” she stated.
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