QUICK FACTS
- Tasmanian renters will be allowed to have a pet, as a right.
- Our Private Rental Incentive Scheme will support a total of 500 households into affordable rentals.
- We will provide land tax exemption for up to three years, where a newly built home is made available on the long-term rental market.
- We will provide a one-year land tax exemption for property owners that switch their property from short to long-term rental market.
Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will:
- Change the laws to allow renters to keep a pet, as a right.
- Unlock more affordable rentals by boosting our Private Rental Incentive Scheme, with an additional 200 homes
- 100% land tax incentives for property owners who build to rent, or switch a short stay home to long term rental.
An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is to make life easier for Tasmanian renters.
Changing the laws to allow renters to have a pet, as a right
The Tasmanian Liberals recognise how important it is for people to have their pets and understand that many tenants rely on the comfort and companionship of their animals, particularly for their mental health and wellbeing.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will change the laws to allow renters to keep a pet, as a right.
We will immediately amend the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 to ensure Tasmanian renters can keep their treasured family pet living with them.
Under these changes, landlords will only able to refuse a pet if they have permission from the TASCAT.
The changes also mean landlords will not be permitted to unreasonably reject applications from prospective tenants, on the basis that they’ll be accompanied by a pet. The only reasonable grounds for refusal would be pets causing a nuisance, damaging the property or endangering the safety of neighbours, as determined by TASCAT.
Given the current pressures facing renters, we are committing to tabling enabling legislation in the first 100 days of a re-elected majority Liberal Government.
Unlock more affordable rentals by boosting our Private Rental Incentive Scheme, with an additional 200 homes
The Private Rental Incentive Scheme is an innovative program providing stable and affordable housing. It incentivises landlords to make their properties available at affordable rents, bringing properties into the market that otherwise would not be available to people on lower incomes.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will boost the Scheme to assist an additional 200 homes - for a total of 500 Tasmanian households.
Under this scheme, rents are capped at between 25 to 30 per cent below median rates and in return property owners receive an incentive payment, and are guaranteed rental income for a two-year lease.
Further information on the scheme is available here.
100% land tax incentives for property owners who build to rent, or switch a short stay home to long term rental
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a strong track record of providing incentives to make properties available on the long-term rental market.
In 2018, we introduced a land tax exemption for up to three years, where a newly built home was made available on the long-term rental market, encouraging both new housing supply and availability in Tasmania’s rental market.
In addition, we incentivised property owners renting their property as short-term accommodation to instead make their property available on the long-term market by providing a one-year land tax exemption.
Under current legislation, these exemptions are due to expire on 30 June 2024.
These are sensible policies that promote making properties available for long-term rental.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will extend the land tax exemptions.
For those who build to rent, land tax will be free for three years, which could save them $6,000, while those who switch a short stay to rent won't pay land tax for a year and they will save $2,000.
Net Cost: $3.875 million per year for two years