Tenants and landlords are encouraged to contact Consumer Protection for advice about rental rights and responsibilities, particularly in relation to termination notices and evictions.
After COVID-19 emergency rental laws ended 28 March 2021 and with low vacancy rates impacting WA's residential tenancies market, the community is reminded to access Consumer Protection's online resources or seek assistance from its dedicated advisors, to understand protections under existing tenancy legislation.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping encourages landlords and tenants to act and negotiate in good faith to agree on reasonable and workable tenancy arrangements.
Ms Chopping said there are penalties in place for changing locks or taking possession of a rental property without a court order. While there may be a period of uncertainty following the end of the emergency period on 28 March, this is not an excuse for landlords to break the law relating to evictions.
"Landlords, property managers and real estate agents should be well aware that there are clear processes that need to be followed to lawfully terminate a tenancy, and eviction processes to be followed if a tenant does not vacate," she said.
