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Mre. Dartigen [maker mode]
@dartigen@aus.social  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

Have't found them here on Fedi (they do have a BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/betterrenting.bsky.social - but I did just get this from Better Renting over email, and I'm sure I'm not the only one trying to figure out getting on it ASAP.

"You may have heard about the Residential Tenancies Standards Amendment Bill, which was created to introduce standards for heating, cooling, insulation, ventilation, and energy-efficiency in rental homes. We made a submission in favour of the Bill, as did other community organisations.

The SA Select Committee for the bill has just shocked us by finalising their report and calling for a vote on the bill all within the past 24 hours.

The Committee now hasn't given anyone time to read through the report or weigh in, but here's the worst part: their verdict is that the bill isn't appropriate and that it should not be progressed, despite overwhelming support from the community and advocacy organisations like us.

This is on the heels of an announcement from the SA government that developers will now be allowed to build apartment complexes that force the people who live in them to share communal bathrooms and kitchens.

As Greens MP Rob Simms put it, it seems unbelievable that we have "a government that is seriously talking about removing the requirement for private bathrooms and kitchens in new developments, and even the basics like fly-screens and draught-proofing rentals are considered a bridge too far."

The vote is happening in a few short hours, so we need SA renters and allies to call MPs: share your opposition to this shocking move and voice your support for the Residential Tenancies Standards Amendment Bill now, before its too late!"

So... yeah, if you've got the free time (ofc this happens early afternoon mid-week when many people won't), I don't know how much impact can be had but it's worth calling and seeing what can be achieved. Here's a link to the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_4E6avwF4RnIpbwlhjpwRsrugzaUeyYPdK32CpxFdnk/edit?gid=0#gid=0

#AusPol #southaustralia #renting #housing

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Mre. Dartigen [maker mode]
@dartigen@aus.social replied  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

For some context, some of the additions in the amendment include:

* requiring heating and cooling in some form in the premises, fitted by the landlord and in good working order (ceiling fans are permitted as well, which do have limits but they sure are better than nothing)
* if it's new heating and cooling or uses water in any way, it has to comply with fairly reasonable energy and water efficiency ratings
* a total ban on gas space heaters being installed, or existing heaters being replaced with a gas space heater (which I thought was already banned but I guess they had to add it in)
* requiring all new or replacement appliances, fixtures and fittings to comply with basic minimum standards (yes this is an actual issue)
* requiring windows to be fitted with blinds, curtains or shutters of some kind (yes, this was not previously required, and agents could and often did refuse to install curtain rod brackets if they weren't already there).
* setting an actual standard for ventilation
* requiring that window and door seals, exhaust fans, ceiling vents, etc. are actually maintained to prevent drafts
* setting a minimum requirement for roof R values (roof insulation is generally not difficult to have installed or replaced, and it goes a looooong way for thermal comfort)
* requiring that all exterior windows that can be opened are fitted with a flyscreen (the exact problem with my place right now, most of the windows don't even have frames and making up multiple frames plus adding the screen itself is not cheap)

All of this probably sounds incredibly basic, and it kinda is. There's provisions to allow for situations where it's unreasonably difficult or expensive to do, and exemptions available if there are shortages of professionals or materials. So it's not like there isn't some flexibility. And yet...

Here's a link to where you can access a PDF of the proposed legislation, which was where I skimmed the above from, if you want more details to help with calling: https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/lz?path=/b/current/residential%20tenancies%20(minimum%20standards)%20amendment%20bill%202024_hon%20robert%20simms%20mlc

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Mre. Dartigen [maker mode]
@dartigen@aus.social replied  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

I've only been able to get 3 calls in, but I'm hoping it did something.

Couldn't find anything on whether a decision was made today or not, I'm assuming that will come once 5pm hits.

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