16 December 2015
Media statement
Social Services Committee
Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill
On 8 December 2015, the House of Representatives referred the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill to the Social
Services Select Committee for consideration. The committee has to report back to the House by 8 June 2016.
The bill would require landlords to install smoke alarms and insulation in residential rental properties. It would allow
the Governor-General to make regulations about these requirements.
The bill also seeks to improve some Tenancy Tribunal mechanisms, such as by enabling information to be collected from
landlords, investigation of alleged breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and advocacy for tenants in cases of
alleged serious or persistent breaches.
The committee has resolved to publicly call for submissions. Submissions will close at 5pm on Wednesday, 27 January
2016.
END