The Western Australian Government has proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 that would remove no-grounds terminations from residential tenancy laws.
If introduced, landlords would need a valid legal reason to end a tenancy. The reforms aim to improve housing security for renters while preserving a landlord's ability to recover possession of their property when lawful grounds exist.
What Are No-Grounds Terminations?
A no-grounds termination allows a landlord to end a tenancy without providing a specific reason.
Under the current law, landlords can end certain tenancies by giving the required notice without explaining why the tenancy is ending. The proposed reforms would require landlords to rely on an approved legal ground, increasing transparency and certainty for both tenants and landlords.
What Would Change?
The proposed reforms would not prevent landlords from ending a tenancy. Instead, they would require landlords to provide a legitimate reason.
The Current Law Still Applies
The proposed reforms have not yet become law. Until the legislation is passed and comes into effect, the existing termination provisions under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA) remain in force.
If you receive a termination notice, seek legal advice based on your individual circumstances rather than assuming the proposed changes already apply.
This article provides general legal information only and is not a substitute for legal advice.
