Next Monday is International Tenants' Day, an opportunity to recognise the many Western Australians who make a rental property their home.
This year's theme is Affordable, Stable and Secure Housing for Young People, with a particular focus on the needs of younger renters.
REIWA President Suzanne Brown said International Tenants' Day was an opportunity to recognise tenants, while reflecting on what a healthy rental market should deliver for them.
"Renters need more than protections on paper. They need enough homes to choose from, confidence that the rules are fair and clear, and the ability to find a property that suits their needs and budget," she said.
"When supply is tight, those choices narrow very quickly. That affects affordability, where people can live and how easily they can move when their circumstances change.
"That's why protecting tenants and supporting rental supply should go hand in hand. One should not come at the expense of the other."
Ms Brown said the day was also a reminder that behind every tenancy was someone's home.
"For an owner, a rental property is an important asset. For the tenant living there, it is where they build their day-to-day life," she said.
"Our members see many tenants who take real pride in their homes, communicate well and build strong relationships with their owner and agency over many years.
"International Tenants' Day is a chance to recognise that, while keeping the focus on making the rental market work better for the people who rely on it."
