Law Week 2026: Why fairer renting laws benefit the whole community

Law Week provides an opportunity to reflect on the role the law plays in shaping fair, connected, and thriving communities.

This year’s theme, Justice | Connection | Community, highlights the importance of ensuring legal systems support people to participate safely and fully in everyday life.

For many Western Australians, access to justice starts with having a safe and stable place to live.

Housing security affects people’s ability to maintain employment, participate in education, care for family members, stay connected to their communities, and seek support when they need it. When people are living with uncertainty about whether they can remain in their homes, the impacts extend well beyond a legal dispute.

That is why recent announcements by the WA Government regarding proposed rental reforms signify such an important and welcome step forward.

The proposed reforms include ending no grounds evictions, introducing minimum standards for rental properties, and strengthening protections for renters. These reforms reflect growing recognition that stable and fair renting laws benefit not only renters, but the wider community.

In the recent Make Renting Fair media release, Circle Green Community Legal CEO Lorraine Keane said the proposed reforms would help bring the rental system in line with community expectations.

“We commend the Cook Government for delivering reforms that will make a genuine difference for renters and bring the rental system in line with community expectations. These are landmark reforms for the more than 700,000 Western Australians who rent.

Ending no grounds evictions is a significant and long-overdue reform that will protect renters from being unfairly evicted, and ensure they are able to speak up about repairs or other issues without fear of losing their homes.”

In our work supporting renters across Western Australia, we regularly see how housing insecurity can affect people’s wellbeing, safety, and stability. Many renters are reluctant to raise concerns about repairs, maintenance, or living conditions because they fear losing their housing.

This creates uncertainty not only for individuals and families, but for the broader community. Stable housing helps people build stronger community connections, maintain support networks, and participate more fully in work and education.

But, as is often the case with rental reforms, the announcements have also attracted criticism in public conversation, including a number of misconceptions about what the proposed changes would mean in practice.

Ending no grounds evictions does not prevent landlords from ending tenancies where legitimate reasons exist. Existing grounds for termination, such as rent arrears, property damage, hardship or sale of the property, would continue to apply. Rather than removing rights from landlords, the reforms aim to ensure that tenants are provided with a clear and genuine reason if a tenancy is being ended.

Similarly, concerns that fairer renting laws would lead to widespread investor withdrawal are not supported by evidence from other jurisdictions that have strengthened tenant protections. Recent polling also demonstrates broad community support for reform, including support from property investors themselves.

As part of the Make Renting Fair WA Alliance, Circle Green supports evidence-based reforms that promote fairness, transparency, and stability within the rental system.  In the context of an escalating cost-of-living crisis, ending no grounds evictions is a practical and meaningful reform which will ease pressure on renters.

Importantly, conversations about tenancy law should not be framed as a conflict between renters and landlords. A fair and stable rental system benefits everyone. Clear laws, safe housing, and balanced protections contribute to healthier communities and stronger relationships between tenants and property owners.

Law Week is an opportunity to reflect on how laws shape the lives of everyday people. Fair tenancy laws are not only about resolving disputes; they are about supporting dignity, stability, and community wellbeing.

As renting becomes an increasingly long-term reality for many Western Australians, ensuring people can live safely and securely in their homes is an important part of building a fair and connected society.

Learn more about tenancy rights, resources, and support services via our Tenancy page.