Industry responds to Government’s housing legislation amendments

The Property Council has provided a submission in response to the Government’s Housing Legislation (Building Better Futures) Amendment Bill 2017, which proposes amendments to the Retirement Villages Act 1999, Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003, Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002, Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, and Housing Act 2003.

Whilst Property Council supports many of the policy interventions included in the Bill, concerns were outlined in the submission about how they are proposed to be implemented through the amendments. 

Among the submission’s 14 recommendations were calls to amend the proposed village transition clauses and the retrospectivity of the proposed 18 month buy-back clause. The Property Council also outlined opposition to the requirement to have the Department approve any village redevelopment plan.

The Property Council reiterated its position that there must be an exemption provision established to allow for seniors-only manufactured home parks. Concerns were also outlined with the prescribed minimum housing standard framework proposed for rental properties.

The parliamentary committee is due to report back on the Bill by 28 September.