5 October 2026
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is inviting Territorians to have their say on proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and serious tenancy breaches in social housing.
The proposed changes are about making sure social housing landlords have clearer and more effective tools to respond to serious or repeated anti-social behaviour and other serious tenancy breaches.
The proposed changes are part of the CLP Government's broader public housing reform to crack down on anti-social behaviour, pursue unpaid rent, and fast-track consequences for those who do the wrong thing.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is moving to strengthen social housing tenancy laws and tackle serious breaches and anti-social behaviour, with Territorians invited to have their say.
The proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 are part of the CLP Government's public housing reform agenda to strengthen tenant accountability, improve community safety and crack down on anti-social behaviour, unpaid rent and serious tenancy breaches.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development, Steve Edgington, said anti-social behaviour by some social housing tenants and visitors was having a disproportionate impact on their neighbours and the communities they live in.
"These proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act are about making sure social housing landlords, including Community Housing Providers, have clearer and more effective tools to respond to serious or repeated anti-social behaviour and other serious tenancy breaches, while maintaining appropriate protections and support for tenants," Mr Edgington said.
"Our year of growth, certainty and security is about continuing to deliver on our commitment to improve community safety for Territorians."
"I encourage tenants, housing providers, community organisations and other Territorians to have their say through the consultation process, so the changes are informed by community feedback and work effectively in practice across the Northern Territory."
From 5 October to 9 November 2026, Territorians can provide feedback on proposed legislative changes designed to give social housing landlords clearer and more effective tools to respond to serious or repeated anti-social behaviour and other serious tenancy breaches.
The consultation paper seeks feedback on proposals including:
stronger responses to serious or repeated anti-social behaviour.options to address serious tenancy breaches, ongoing unpaid rent and tenant-caused damage to property.greater consideration of the impact of anti-social behaviour on neighbours and communities when tenancy decisions are made.an additional administrative pathway to cease social housing tenancies in defined circumstances.extending these provisions to Community Housing Providers.
The proposed changes do not remove or alter existing safeguards for vulnerable tenants and will maintain protections relating to domestic and family violence.
The proposed changes build on the Tenant Accountability Policy Statement released in February 2026, which sets three clear expectations for public housing tenants: pay the rent, look after the property and be a good neighbour.
Minister Edgington said the reforms have seen 60 terminations and voluntary relinquishments from tenants who were constantly doing the wrong thing like causing disturbances.
The government has also brought 117 formal matters to the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal on issues such as tenancy terminations, unacceptable conduct, unpaid rent, untidy yards and failing to provide access for routine inspections or repairs.
Feedback from tenants, community organisations, housing providers, Aboriginal organisations, legal and advocacy services and Territorians will help shape the proposed changes, which are expected to be introduced to Parliament early next year.
Head to the Have Your Say website here
