“Talk is cheap”: NSW Labor teams with Coalition to block end to no grounds evictions bill

By ERIN MODARO

Just days after NSW Labor pledged reforms to renting policy, Labor and the Coalition have teamed up to oppose a Greens bill that would bring an end to no grounds evictions.

The bill would amend the Residential Tenancies Act which, in NSW, currently allows for renters to be evicted at any time without reason. Newtown Greens MP Jenny Leong spoke on the importance of the bill, which was introduced to NSW Parliament in October.

“Ending no grounds evictions is not a controversial move” Leong said.

Today NSW Parliament could have debated and voted on our bill to finally end no grounds evictions.

Instead NSW Labor teamed up with the Liberal National Government to block our bill.

Talk is cheap and renters are the ones who will pay the price. Shame.

— Jenny Leong MP 梁珍妮 (@jennyleong) November 10, 2022

“If a landlord believes that they can get more money for a new tenant, they can simply terminate the lease of the existing tenant with no grounds and no good reason” Leong said before the bill was in NSW Parliament.

Labor’s recent election promise included an end to no grounds evictions through “tighter” rental laws, and the introduction of rental bond transfers.

Leong criticised the party for not supporting the Greens bill, which would fast-track renters rights and come into effect sooner than a post 2023 election promise.

“For NSW Labor to stand in the way of this critical reform just days after making an election announcement… to end no grounds evictions and then refuse to support this motion would be nothing short of offensive” the MP said to the Parliament.

Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich also spoke to to bill, saying that “we have a significant opportunity to pass important protections for renters”.

“If the Opposition committed to the statement it made over the weekend to back renters, it would ensure that this bill is debated and voted on tomorrow and passes this Parliament” Greenwich said.

No grounds evictions explained

Under current NSW Law, landlords are able to evict tenants with no reason given for eviction, both at the end of a fixed term lease, or during an ongoing lease. 90 days notice is required for an eviction during a lease, and 30 days notice required at the end.

If no grounds evictions were to be outlawed, landlords would retain the right to legally evict tenants for wrongdoing such as property damage or missing rent payments.

Australia is among the few OECD countries that still allows for no grounds evictions.

Housing advocates and tenants organisations support the end to no grounds evictions, including Shelter NSW and the Tenants Union of NSW.

A February special report on eviction by the NSW Tenants Union found that “eviction is too often relied on” by landlords.

“It is relatively easy for a landlord to evict a renter, and often accepted as a standard or common practice” the report reads.

“Many NSW renters don’t know where they will be living from year to year or in some cases from month to month,” Leong said.