A letter submitted to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner in April by three key community organisations – the Tasmanian Council of Social Services, the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania, and Shelter Tasmania – calls for the state government to take action on reforming the Residential Tenancy Act of 1997.

The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania has indicated their willingness to work with the state government and community organisations to reach a mutual agreement on standardising lease forms and applications.

The Northern Territory and Tasmania are the only states or territories in Australia without standard forms.

“The Government is always prepared to sit down with stakeholder groups to discuss sensible policy proposals and I would welcome a discussion about this idea,” Mr Barnett said.

The letter calls for reform four years after then Greens Consumer Protection Minister Nick McKim tabled the Residential Tenancy Amendment Bill 2013, introducing minimum standards for rental properties in an Australian-first.

“The Bill tabled was the culmination of three years of consultation between tenant and community groups, industry, government and the community,” the letter says.

“The roundtable discussions which were carried out in good faith by all concerned raised a number of other issues which it was agreed would be returned to in the foreseeable future.”

REIT chief executive Mark Berry told Fairfax Tasmania that the REIT would be happy to join discussions, noting that most real estate agents in Tasmania already use the REIT’s standard forms.

Shelter Tasmania executive officer Pattie Chugg said standardising forms made sense considering standard forms were used in all other aspects of life, and would help prevent discrimination in the housing market.