Make renting fair, safe and certain.
What we're asking for
The Residential Tenancies Act has a critical role to play in safeguarding the housing needs of the Northern Territory’s residents, ensuring that tenants are not evicted unnecessarily into homelessness, and providing pathways for people out of homelessness into accommodation. It provides governance over the suitability of dwellings for habitation, security of tenure and safety and control of the living space.
We’re advocating alongside eleven organisations to make renting in the Northern Territory fair, safe and certain. There is no reason why the Northern Territory should lag behind other States when it comes to tenancy legislation.
As has been seen in recent updates and comprehensive reviews across Australia, Residential Tenancies protections have a critical role in balancing the rights of landlord and tenants – ensuring stability and predictability, removing subjectivism. A modern Residential Tenancies Act is able to secure the rights of the landlord.
Are you renting in the Northern Territory? We’d like to hear about your experiences. Please complete this short anonymous survey. Your responses may be used for media and other advocacy.
Latest news
- September 01, 2022: Sharing the Couch with Erin Turner, CEO of the Consumer Policy Research Centre (NT Shelter podcast/interview)
- April 28, 2020: Puzzled and disappointed by Residential Tenancies Legislation (ABC News)
- April 24, 2020: NT Shelter on ABC Drive Alice Springs (ABC News)
- April 24, 2020: Northern Territory accused of walking away from moratorium on coronavirus evictions (The Guardian)
- April 24, 2020: Residential Tenancies Legislation falls short (ABC News)
- April 23, 2020: “There is no reason why the Territory should be any different in terms of the protections it provides its tenants.” (Nine News)
- April 22, 2020: An open letter to Members of the Northern Territory Parliament.
- April 22, 2020: An open letter to the Chief Minister: No forced evictions of tenants.
- February 18, 2020: New Residential Tenancies legislation passed by NT parliament.
- October 17, 2019: Joint Statement: Make renting fair, safe and certain.
16% of renters living with a disability have
been served a no-grounds eviction (compared to 9% of other Australians).
44% of tenants are concerned that requesting repairs could get them evicted.
of requests for homelessness support are due to Domestic or Family Violence reasons. A strong RTA can help families maintain accommodation.
References:
Disrupted: The consumer experience of renting in Australia, Choice, National Shelter & NATO (2018).
2017-18 Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (Feb 2019).