Question & Answer – Residential Tenancy Act 1997 – Timetable for Review Update

November 13, 2025

Ms WEBB question to MINISTER for HOUSING and PLANNING, Mr VINCENT

Thursday, 13 November 2025

This is following on from something the minister for Housing agreed to take on notice the other sitting day. In light of the abysmal performance of Tasmania in the recently released two-year report card by the National Association of Renters Organisations, NARO, and National Shelter, evaluating progress made by all states and territories to deliver a better deal for rent agreement, can you detail to the House the time frame for the government’s promised review of the state’s Residential Tenancy Act 1997, specifically, when can the public expect to see an update on the review and when will public consultation commence?

Is there a planned legislative schedule by which amendments are intended to be introduced to parliament? Further, minister, have you sought advice on the advisability of developing a new replacement act, rather than relying on attempting to overhaul the current outdated act with multiple and potentially unwieldy amendments? If you haven’t considered that option, will you? Noting the minister pointed to another portfolio responsibility, but might endeavour to come back with information from that minister.

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for her ongoing concern in that area. I would certainly need to take it on board, but that would trigger a fairly substantial conversation with the appropriate minister to find out those details in more detail for you. I can certainly do that and, excuse me for a moment, I will just check on this.

Ms Webb – Sorry, I only put the question because I thought you had further answers.

Mr VINCENT – The government recognises the vital role that the rental properties play in providing housing for thousands of Tasmanian families. That goes without saying. In August 2023, Tasmania, as part of the National Cabinet, agreed to nine measures aimed at harmonising rental laws and strengthening renters’ rights across Australia. These measures are collectively known as ‘a better deal for renters’.

Tasmania has already fully or partially delivered on seven of the nine measures, two measures relating to limits on break-lease fees and simplifying rental applications require further work. Under the Tasmanian Housing Strategy Action Plan 2023-27, the Government committed to completing a review of the Residential Tenancy Act by 30 June 2027. We are bringing forward the start of that review to early 2026. The discussion paper will be released for public comment in early 2026 and the Government intends to provide a substantial consultation period for the Tasmanian community to consider the discussion paper. Draft legislation is expected to be released in the second-half of 2026. Sorry for the confusion to start with, thank you.