The Government has taken very limited industry consultation on the proposed Residential Tenancies Bill 2009 and the result weighs heavily in favour of the tenants.
Obviously the industry is all for protecting the rights of tenants, however if proposed clauses such as the tenants ability to break a fixed term lease and tenants being able to make cosmetic changes, just as two examples, are approved there is a very real chance that some investors will move away from residential property.
Industry bodies such as the REINSW are trying to highlight the issues, however it is up to all of us to educate as many people as we can about the potential impact of this Bill, particularly at a time when there is a lot of comment about the possible level of rent increases in 2010.
If you have the opportunity to make comment in your local media, or feel it is an issue that your local member can assist with make the effort before we are all burdened with increased disputes and frustrated landlords.