Rental standards in state defended

The Tenants Union of Australia yesterday called for the state government to introduce minimum standards for all residential properties.

The call came in a submission to the review of Tasmania's Residential Tenancy Act.

The union also pointed to research it says showed that Tasmania's minimum standards were the nation's worst.

``The provision of hot and cold water, adequate cooking facilities and a roof free of leakages are basic conditions that must be legislatively guaranteed,'' Tenants Union liaison officer Benedict Bartl said.

``Additionally, we are very concerned that Tasmania continues to allow landlords to let properties that are not clean at the start of the tenancy.''

Bushby Property Group director Phillip Bushby said that while he supported the establishment of minimum standards, the problem lay with certain private landlords, not property agencies.

``Generally the marketplace determines what the minimum standards are, but it is difficult to regulate a private landlord,'' Mr Bushby said.

``Properties that don't come up to a satisfactory standard in relation with things like condition and heating end up being the ones sitting vacant.

``At the end of the day the landlord is either forced to spend some money on it, or if they haven't got that, sell the property and allow someone else to redevelop it.''

The report on the Residential Tenancy Act recommends that owners are required to ensure premises are reasonably clean at the start of a tenancy, provide and maintain the premises in good repair, ensure premises have hot and cold running water, toilet facilities, bath or shower and cooking facilities and ensure premises are free from roof leakages and substantial drafts.

Consumer Protection Minister Nick McKim said said submissions to the final report of the review of the Residential Tenancy Act were being taken until tomorrow.

Submissions can be sent to consumer.affairs@justice.tas. gov.au.