West Australian Voters Rally to End No-Cause Evictions, Poll Indicates Overwhelming Support
Housing advocates are throwing their weight behind a push to abolish no-cause evictions in Western Australia, with new research showing a significant majority of voters, including property investors, support the move. Polling conducted by research firm Painted Dog, commissioned by the WA Make Renting Fair Alliance, surveyed 761 respondents last month and found that 80 per cent back measures to ensure tenants cannot be evicted without a valid reason.
This figure marks an increase from 74 per cent in 2022, highlighting growing public sentiment for rental reform. The findings were unveiled outside Parliament House today, as the State Government deliberates on whether to end no-cause evictions, a decision that would impact approximately 700,000 renters across the state.
Advocates Hail Potential Reforms as a Step Toward Modernising Rental Laws
Shelter WA chief executive Kath Snell expressed encouragement at the widespread support, stating that abolishing 'no-grounds' evictions would be a major advancement, finally aligning WA with other Australian jurisdictions. "It shouldn't be a concern for landlords who are already doing the right thing, with valid and reasonable reasons to end a lease still in place—such as selling a property or responding to a breach of the tenancy agreement," Ms Snell said.
She emphasised that ending unfair evictions is a key priority for the campaign, aiming to provide safety, security, and dignity for renting families. "This change will offer relief to more than 700,000 renting families in WA who currently live in fear of losing their homes through no fault of their own," she added, noting that these reforms have been under consideration since 2019 to modernise the rental system.
Survey Reveals Broad Backing for Additional Rental Protections
The poll also uncovered strong support for other rental reforms:
- Rent Stabilisation: 79 per cent of respondents favour introducing mechanisms like limiting rent increases to CPI or setting a fixed cap of 2 per cent maximum, with only 5 per cent strongly opposed.
- Minimum Standards: 84 per cent support establishing minimum standards for rental properties, such as insulation and efficient heating or cooling, with just 1 per cent strongly opposing.
- Tenant Advocacy: 85 per cent back increasing access to tenant advice, advocacy, and information services.
Notably, the survey showed 72 per cent overall support from residential investment property owners for ending no-cause evictions, 67 per cent for rent stabilisation, and 80 per cent for minimum standards, indicating cross-stakeholder agreement on key issues.
Community Leaders Urge Government Action Based on Public Mandate
Alice Pennycott, principal lawyer at Circle Green Community Legal, urged the State Government to proceed with the rumoured changes confidently, citing clear community backing. Louise Giolitto, chief executive of the WA Council of Social Service, stressed that no one should fear losing their home without justification.
Mark Glasson, head of Anglicare WA, argued that last year's reforms fell short in protecting renters. "You can't end somebody's employment contract without good reason, so why do we allow it when it comes to somebody's home? If you're a genuinely bad tenant, there are plenty of provisions for a landlord to act to end the tenancy," he said.
He identified no-ground evictions as a primary factor in the power imbalance facing renters and called for comprehensive reforms, including rent stabilisation and minimum property standards, to create a fairer and more equitable rental system in WA.
