Tenants' Union of Tasmania

16/06/2026

Tenants subject to abuse, harassment, threats, or violence by a
neighbour should be able to terminate their lease agreement without being penalised.

We have called for this law reform as part of our response to the review of the Act.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-15/tas-breaking-a-lease-when-safety-is-at-risk/106773368

https://tutas.org.au/modernising-the-act-2026-submission/

Annie feared for her safety from a new next-door neighbour in northern Tasmania but was told she couldn't break her lease without continuing to pay rent. She was then sexually assaulted.

10/06/2026

There are a couple of days left to have your say on modernising the Residential Tenancy Act. (links in comments)

Will improving renters' rights make investors sell up and inflate rents even more? We don't think so, and experience from other jurisdictions backs that up.

Read Alex Bomford's opinion piece in the The Mercury Newspaper today.

26/05/2026

We seek a motivated senior solicitor and solicitor that is committed to social justice and renters’ rights to join the Tenants’ Union and conduct our operations in Launceston and the North West of Tasmania.

Find the detailed position descriptions here: https://tutas.org.au/about/job-vacancies/

Applications close 16 June 2026.

12/05/2026

"Housing is about where we grow and shelter our families," says Michael Fotheringham, managing director of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute - AHURI.

This ABC report highlights why changes to tax concessions for property investors as announced by the treasurer on Tuesday are so important.

Australia's regional housing crisis is decades in the making, the head of a research institute says. So can the federal budget fix it?

04/05/2026

Adam Holmes ABC report lays bare the poor condition of the aging social housing stock in Tasmania, its impact on renters and the lack of appropriate processes to rectify these issues.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-04/unliveable-unsafe-public-housing-in-tasmania-regulator/106623636

Our acting principal solicitor Alex Bomford says: “there is a tendency in the public, social and private housing sectors to "blame the tenants" for problems in the first instance.

In regard to mould, Homes Tasmania advises tenants that cooking, having a shower, and "breathing" are contributing factors, and that they should open doors and windows to prevent it.

Tasmania is the only state where there is no clear process for tenants to seek a rent reduction for when essential services are unavailable, or when parts of their property are uninhabitable.”

A consultation process is currently underway and if you have experienced similar conditions, now is the best time to have your say. Find FAQs on how to make a submission here:

https://tutas.org.au/faq-have-your-say-modernising-the-act-2026/

Stories similar to the one raised in this report could be addressed under question 4.2 Rent reduction, 5.1.4 Minimum standards other or 5.3 (c) Repairs and Maintenance other of the governments catalogue of questions for the review.

The Tenants' Union of Tasmania provides free advice, advocacy and support to tenants in relation to their tenancy rights and how to secure these rights.

20/04/2026

Our drop in service will not be available from 9:30-11:00 tomorrow, Wednesday 22/4.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

17/04/2026

Are you interested in having your say on the modernisation of the Residential Tenancy Act (1997), but don't quite know where to start?

We have put together a list of questions and answers to guide you through the process. Find them here: https://tutas.org.au/faq-have-your-say-modernising-the-act-2026/

Remember, you don't have to be a law expert. Your experience as a renter is crucial for the government to hear!

09/04/2026

The government is currently taking submissions on how to modernise the Residential Tenancy Act 1997.

The stories and experiences of actual renters are an extremely valuable part of this process.

The government needs to understand how, for example, the current lack of security, repair standards and limits on rent increases affect Tasmanian families.

We strongly encourage you to make your own submission, and refer the page to friends and family who also rent their homes and would like to have their say.

You can make a submission through: https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation/consultations/2026/a-review-of-the-residential-tenancy-act

Submissions close at 11:59pm on 12 June 2026.

Over the next few weeks we will publish resources to help you make your submissions, as well as our responses to specific topics.

02/04/2026

We will be closed for the Easter break from Good Friday, and will reopen on Wednesday, 8 April.

If you leave a message on our advice line or email today, we will make every endeavour to get back to you before 5pm.

We hope that you have wonderful long weekend.