Tenants Union of Tasmania 166 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000

Welcome to the Tenants Union of Tasmania! Located at 166 Macquarie Street in Hobart, Australia, we are a specialist Community Legal Centre dedicated to protecting the rights of residential tenants. As an establishment that operates as a lawyer and a point of interest, we provide free legal advice, representation, and education to tenants, as well as advocate for the improvement of tenants' rights.

If you are renting in Tasmania, we are here to offer you free advice and support. Our team is committed to helping both public and private residential tenants navigate the complexities of renting. We understand that finding and maintaining a suitable rental property can sometimes be challenging, which is why we are here to assist you every step of the way.

In recent times, Tasmania has experienced an increase in vacancy rates, leading to rent decreases in most areas. This trend is reminiscent of the changes observed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in fewer international students and short-stay properties being available in the long-term rental market. Notably, the South of Tasmania saw the highest decrease in rents at -4.1%. As an institution, we closely monitor these developments to provide you with up-to-date information.

We are pleased to inform you that all States and Territories in Australia have agreed to strengthen renters' rights and ensure national consistency. While the timeline for implementing these reforms is yet to be determined, it is disappointing that there was no agreement on stabilizing rents. Fortunately, some of these reforms have already been introduced in Tasmania years ago, which means that the rights of renters across the state are already improving.

As part of our commitment to advocating for tenants, we have provided feedback on the Tasmanian Housing Strategy Exposure Draft. Our recommendations include a review of the Residential Tenancy Act (1997) to enhance tenants' security of tenure, rent regulation, pets, and minimum standards. We also emphasize the importance of retaining existing public housing stock and maintaining a set percentage of public housing in the state.

Contrary to the notion that short-stay rental hosts are struggling, we believe that they are hardly battlers. In a statement made by the Australian spokesperson for Airbnb, it was suggested that short-term rentals provide a means for everyday people to cope with the rising cost of living and growing mortgage repayments. However, we encourage a more balanced perspective on this issue and advocate for fair and equitable housing solutions for all.

At the Tenants Union of Tasmania, we offer telephone advice statewide and face-to-face consultations in three locations: Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport. Our team of solicitors and tenancy workers can guide you on how to present your case if you need to go to court, and in certain circumstances, they can even represent you in court with your tenancy matter.

Education is a crucial aspect of our work, and we provide comprehensive training on residential tenancy in Tasmania. Whether you are part of an interested group or seeking to enhance your knowledge from an introductory to an advanced level, we offer face-to-face sessions and will soon be launching online courses for your convenience.

Lastly, we sell leases that comply with Tasmanian residential tenancy law. These leases can be purchased at our offices in Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport, ensuring that you have access to legally compliant documentation for your rental agreements.

Thank you for visiting our webpage. We hope that you find the information and resources provided by the Tenants Union of Tasmania valuable in safeguarding your rights as a tenant.