This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AMID a national housing crisis and push for more renters’ rights, the Queensland government has approved funding of $44.4 million over five years to Tenants Queensland to continue its QSTARS program, which provides renters with a free and independent advice and referral service.
QSTARS was established in 2015 to provide information to tenants on their rights and responsibilities, support to resolve tenancy issues and assistance when talking to landlords or property managers. It assists 120,000 Queensland households each year.
The service was established after the LNP cut funding to tenancy support services across Queensland, and rejected federal government funding for it at the time.
QSTARS also provides resources and assistance for renters who may require more intensive support to achieve positive outcomes in tenancy matters, such as help to prepare for a QCAT hearing or referrals to other support services.
The Department of Housing is working with Tenants Queensland to finalise the agreement.
“While we build more social and affordable homes and deliver reforms to ensure our renting system is fair it’s important tenants know their rights,” said Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon.
“I want to make sure that renters have access to advice or assistance when they need it.
Penny Carr, CEO of Tenants Queensland said, “Right now is a trying time for many households and it makes a difference to them knowing there is an independent advisory service to provide professional advice and support, specifically targeted to their needs as renters.”
The federal government is hoping to make headway on bolstering renters’ rights through a sympathetic Labor-dominated National Cabinet in Brisbane next week, as it remains at loggerheads with the Greens in the Senate over its $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese again batted away the Greens’ requests for a national rent freeze this week.
The HAFF would aim to build 30,000 new social and affordable homes over the next five years with minimum of $500 million every year over five years from 2024-25 tipped in from the off-budget fund. The Greens had wanted more to be spent each year – initially $5 billion, and then $2.5 billion – and a national freeze on rents.
The Greens say a two-year freeze would save an average of $3,688 per household.
