Latest news with #RealEstateInstituteofTasmania
West Australian
6 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Mandatory professional carpet cleaning in Tasmanian rent agreements ruled invalid
Renters have walked away with a win after a recent bond dispute over a 'small yellow stain' ended with a ruling a tenant is not necessarily required to have the carpet professionally cleaned when vacating. The Residential Tenancy Commission (RTC) ruled Tasmanian tenants are only required to get on the tools if they leave the carpet in a worse state than when they began their lease. It is understood the requirement appears in rental contracts 'all the time' as it is in the standard lease agreement provided to landlords by the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania. The finding by the RTC reads: 'A tenant is not responsible for carpet cleaning performed as a matter of general practice as opposed to any real need or genuine failure of the tenant, in accordance with their obligations.' The Tenants Union of Tasmania represented the tenant regarding the Burnie property. It said this was the first definitive ruling on the matter and was a legally enforceable decision. 'It really shines a light that a blanket clause in standard tenancy agreements that says you have to have premises professionally cleaned is invalid,' Tenants Union senior solicitor Andrew Smith told ABC News. 'A tenant has the right not to do it, if they've left it in the same condition as when they moved in and there's proof of that. 'So as always, tenants should take their own photos when moving in and carefully make any notes in any condition reports they (are) provided,' he added. 'It is in the standard Real Estate Institute lease that almost all real estate agents will use and a lot of private landlords will choose to use, even some social housing providers are using these leases.' The case which led to the historic ruling was regarding a 'small yellow stain' on the carpet of one of the bedrooms – which was not recorded in the ingoing condition report at the start of the lease. No other photos of the carpet's condition were provided at the end of the lease period, with the commissioner ruling the tenant was only responsible for the cleaning of that one stain. 'Given the stain in question is very small … the owner is awarded $25 for carpet cleaning.' The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania has been contacted for comment.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Huge call on hated rental rule
Renters have walked away with a win after a recent bond dispute over a 'small yellow stain' ended with a ruling a tenant is not necessarily required to have the carpet professionally cleaned when vacating. The Residential Tenancy Commission (RTC) ruled Tasmanian tenants are only required to get on the tools if they leave the carpet in a worse state than when they began their lease. It is understood the requirement appears in rental contracts 'all the time' as it is in the standard lease agreement provided to landlords by the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania. The finding by the RTC reads: 'A tenant is not responsible for carpet cleaning performed as a matter of general practice as opposed to any real need or genuine failure of the tenant, in accordance with their obligations.' It is understood the requirement appears in rental contracts 'all the time' as it is in the standard lease agreement provided to landlords by the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania. Credit: News Regional Media The Tenants Union of Tasmania represented the tenant regarding the Burnie property. It said this was the first definitive ruling on the matter and was a legally enforceable decision. 'It really shines a light that a blanket clause in standard tenancy agreements that says you have to have premises professionally cleaned is invalid,' Tenants Union senior solicitor Andrew Smith told ABC News. 'A tenant has the right not to do it, if they've left it in the same condition as when they moved in and there's proof of that. 'So as always, tenants should take their own photos when moving in and carefully make any notes in any condition reports they (are) provided,' he added. The case which led to the ruling was over a 'small yellow stain' on the carpet of one of the bedrooms in a Burnie property. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia 'It is in the standard Real Estate Institute lease that almost all real estate agents will use and a lot of private landlords will choose to use, even some social housing providers are using these leases.' The case which led to the historic ruling was regarding a 'small yellow stain' on the carpet of one of the bedrooms – which was not recorded in the ingoing condition report at the start of the lease. No other photos of the carpet's condition were provided at the end of the lease period, with the commissioner ruling the tenant was only responsible for the cleaning of that one stain. 'Given the stain in question is very small … the owner is awarded $25 for carpet cleaning.' The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania has been contacted for comment.
Mercury
02-06-2025
- Business
- Mercury
Speed bumps sidestepped as growth momentum builds
When a federal election is looming, property markets tend to be softer, but a new report shows Tasmanian real estate kicking off 2025 with increasing growth. While cost-of-living pressures remain top of mind for family budgets, more people bought homes in the March quarter than the previous quarter, or at the same time in 2024. And values are on the up. The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania's March Quarterly report found these 2399 sales were worth $1.48bn. This cumulative value was an increase of 1.6 per cent on the previous quarter and compared to March 2024, was up by 7.3 per cent. Tasmania's median house price increased 1.6 per cent for the quarter to $620,000, which was a 3.3 per cent increase over March last year. Launceston and the North West median house prices were up by 1.3 and 1 per cent. Hobart decreased by 3 per cent. MORE: Interstate developer to put stamp on 'gateway' site How much 1990s Hobart homes would cost today With property prices soaring interstate, Tasmania is re-emerging as an option for investment spending. The report showed a 'sharp rise' in interest from mainland investors. They accounted for almost half (46.5 per cent) of all investor purchases during the quarter, significantly above the two-year average of 31.8 per cent. Statewide, rental vacancies were steady at 2 per cent. However, demand saw the median rent for a three-bedroom home in Hobart increase by $10 to $560 per week. Launceston rents decreased $30 to $450 per week, while the North West centres added $15 to $430 per week. Historic Richmond was the quarter's standout price performer with a median of $1.66m, followed by Sandy Bay, Kingston Beach and East Launceston. The West retained the affordability crown with Queenstown houses selling for a $165,000 median value. There were 211 sales in March in excess of $1m. While this was more than March 2024, it was a handful less than the December quarter. As recently as 2019, Tasmanians recorded just 175 sales at this level in an entire year. While 447 first-home buyers got their foot on the ladder over the quarter, this was a 13 per cent decrease compared year-on-year. REIT president Russell Yaxley said Tasmania real estate takes a 'slow and steady approach', avoiding the volatile ebbs and flow activity that are common in larger cities. 'Our market has clearly recovered from its slowdown — late 2023 to early 2024 — and signs look positive for a rebound into 2025,' he said. 'Increasing demand with diminishing stock levels over 2025 will see increased pressure placed on property for sale and rentals over this coming year.' Meanwhile, PropTrack's latest monthly Home Price Index shows continued gains with Hobart, which was up by 0.3 per cent in May and 2.58 per cent annually to post a median home value of $685,000 while remaining the second-cheapest city behind only Darwin. Regional Tasmania was down 0.29 per cent in May and 1.78 per cent higher annually, with a $526,000 median home value. REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh said the rise in home prices was largely driven by falling interest rates. 'With interest rates falling, price momentum has increased and broadened, with all capitals seeing prices lift in May,' she said. 'Lower interest rates have lifted borrowing capacities and boosted buyer demand.'
