Western Australia to Ban No-Grounds Evictions in Housing Policy Shift

In a significant policy shift, Western Australia is set to ban 'no-grounds' evictions, a move hailed by tenant advocates as a crucial step towards greater housing security. Under the proposed legislation, landlords will no longer be able to terminate a tenant's lease without providing a valid reason. This aligns Western Australia with most other Australian jurisdictions, leaving only the Northern Territory with similar eviction practices. The state government, through Commerce Minister and Attorney-General Tony Buti, emphasizes that this change is a 'commonsense approach' to balancing the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants in what is currently a very tight rental market. Buti highlighted the plight of vulnerable tenants, citing the example of a single mother with a severely disabled child who feared eviction for raising concerns about substandard living conditions. The government is also extending one-off rent relief payments to support tenants at risk of eviction. This policy reversal marks a departure from the stance of former Premier Mark McGowan and commerce minister Sue Ellery, who had previously expressed concerns that banning no-grounds evictions could negatively impact investment and exacerbate housing supply issues. Real estate groups echo these concerns, but the government maintains that a balanced approach is achievable. For many renters, like 'Le', who faced a no-grounds eviction after questioning a rent increase and a contract clause, this announcement offers a glimmer of hope. While acknowledging that further changes are needed, Le expressed that this is a positive step towards a more stable rental environment in Western Australia. The new laws will still permit evictions for legitimate reasons such as property damage or non-payment of rent.

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Landlords will no longer be allowed to terminate a tenant's lease without giving a reason.