ACT Government delivers on national reforms to improve rental rights and implements national fundraising principles

The ACT Government has introduced legal reforms to strengthen tenants’ rights and remove regulatory barriers for charities and recruitment companies.

The Housing and Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 delivers on several measures in the Better Deal for Renters reforms agreed by National Cabinet, including:

• allowing victim-survivors of domestic and family violence to end tenancies quickly and without penalty
• introducing mandatory break-lease fee clauses which limit the amount tenants must pay if they end a tenancy early
• streamlining rental processes for tenants and landlords in share-housing situations.

The bill also implements nationally agreed fundraising principles to reduce red tape for charities. The principles ensure that the same fundraising rules apply across the country, allowing charities to focus on their vital work.

Recruitment companies will see reduced regulation, as the government delivers on its Better Regulation Agenda commitment to remove licensing requirements. Under the new reforms, employment agents will no longer need a license to undertake their work for recruitment companies, reducing cost and administrative burden.

The changes introduced by the Housing and Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill will allow charities and businesses to operate more efficiently in the ACT community and promote a more equitable environment for consumers and community groups.