Bills

Housing Improvement Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading (resumed on motion).

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (16:55): As there are no further speakers in relation to this bill, by way of concluding I would like to thank those honourable members who contributed to the second reading debate. To the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the member for Reynell, the member for Adelaide, the member for Hammond, the member for Schubert and the member for Hartley, thank you for your words. I am really pleased to hear that you will be supporting this bill. Obviously, you have proposed some substantial amendments.

The key purpose of this bill is to ensure residential premises are suitably maintained. Occupants without a healthy and stable living environment have less capacity to connect and contribute to their community. Safe and suitable housing is central to people's health and wellbeing, helping build stronger and safer communities.

Much of South Australia's affordable housing is located in older existing suburbs with established facilities. The effective life of these older houses can be substantially extended by appropriate maintenance, thereby maintaining the stock of suitable affordable places to live for low-income and disadvantaged households. While few private rental properties have a housing improvement declaration, the impact is high on the individual occupants.

This bill will repeal the Housing Improvement Act 1940 and includes more effective provisions to ensure that those property owners who fail to provide safe and suitable housing are encouraged to meet minimum standards, to control the rent of substandard housing and to improve the capacity to enforce the required standards.

Prior to drafting of the bill, preliminary consultation was undertaken with key industry stakeholders on the need for the continuation of minimum housing standards. Further public consultation was then undertaken on the draft bill. Feedback indicated general support for the continued regulation of minimum housing standards and the general duty to ensure premises are safe and suitable. There was strong endorsement from tenant support organisations for continuation of rent control for substandard houses.

The key principle on which the bill is based is a concept of general duty, which provides for balanced obligations for both owner and occupant. A key objective is to raise community awareness of minimum housing standards, encouraging self-compliance. Minimum housing standards will apply to all properties in South Australia.

Part 3 of the bill sets out the main suite of tools that will secure compliance with basic housing standards. These are: housing assessment orders, housing improvement orders, housing demolition orders, notices to vacate, and rent control notices. Rent control notices include an improved process for inviting an owner to show why such action should not be taken. A rent control notice issued following a housing improvement order will continue to apply in relation to premises, despite any change in ownership or occupancy of the premises.

The bill minimises the risk to tenants that tenants are evicted or treated unfairly by a landlord if they make a complaint about the condition of premises by requiring a review of any eviction notice or change of contract by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The bill now requires disclosure in statements made in the advertising of the lease of residential premises of the fact that the premises are subject to an order or notice under the bill. This will enable tenants to make informed decisions before committing to a lease. Disclosure requirements in relation to the sale of a property will continue.

I draw members' attention to the consultation that has occurred. Information sessions were attended by in excess of 60 participants, including representatives from local government, real estate agents, tenant support agencies and industry organisations. Sixteen written submissions were received. I had the opportunity to meet recently with key industry representatives in a round-table discussion before I introduced the bill to parliament. I wanted to hear directly their views on the Housing Improvement Bill 2015.

This bill now includes amendments as a result of feedback received during earlier consultation, and I again thank all stakeholders for their contributions. Of course, this extensive consultation could not have occurred without the dedication of the department, and I take the opportunity to thank them for their efforts in progressing the development of the bill.

In particular, I acknowledge the work of project managers Murray Hutchesson and Linley May, who have contributed to the carriage of this bill from its inception in 2011. Your commitment to this work is to be commended. In closing, I thank members for their constructive comments. Although I did not agree with all their comments I do thank them for their thoughts and the time they have taken to look at the bill, and I appreciate that they have taken that time. I look forward to discussing this bill further through to the committee stage.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

In committee.

Clause 1.

Progress reported: committee to sit again.