It’s a great day for Tasmanian renters, who finally have the right to keep a pet in their home. This is an important step forward for renters’ rights that the Greens have been fighting for for years.
Tasmanian renters should never have be denied a safe place to live simply because they own a pet. Some renters were even forced give up their pets. It just wasn’t right – pets are part of the family.
Tasmanian renters are really struggling as the cost of living and housing crises just keep getting worse. These reforms make it just that bit easier to find a place to live for Tasmanian renters.
This change would not have occurred without the continued advocacy from Greens and community advocates, like the Tenants Union of Tasmania and the Dogs Home of Tasmania. The Liberals finally took up these calls in the 2024 election.
These changes are welcome, but more work needs to be done to give renters the rights they deserve. With the Residential Tenancy Act currently under review, the Liberals must focus on giving renters protections from unfair evictions and rent hikes, and, in the face of an escalating cost of living crisis, enshrine minimum standards for energy efficiency.
