The housing crisis has left some Aussies with no other option but to sleep in their cars or tents. This is a travesty, and it's something that needs to be addressed immediately.

The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing Australia today. It's estimated that there are over 116,000 homeless people in our country, and many of them are sleeping in their cars or tents. This is not only unacceptable, but it's also dangerous.

Now, with the state government modifying legislation to permit persons who own granny flats on their property to rent them to people other than direct family members, Queensland residents in need of emergency accommodation have now received a boost.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced the changes on Friday, saying that they were a result of recommendations by stakeholders at the Queensland Housing Roundtable.

In addition to relaxing restrictions on the usage of so-called secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, Mr Miles confirmed that the new laws will ban out-of-state landlords, requiring them to either be a resident of or with connections in the community where they plan to rent.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles delivered the amendments that the QLD government has implemented on housing legislation. Credit: NCA NewsWire / John Gass.​

The politician claimed that many Queenslanders have granny flats on their properties, many of which were likely renovated for teens or other family members.

He went on to say that loosening the constraints on who can live in secondary dwellings would provide people with more housing choices.

'Right now, most homeowners can't rent secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, to anyone other than their immediate family,' said Mr Miles.

'At the same time, some Queenslanders are sleeping in their cars or tents.'

He continued by saying it made more sense for the government to permit such existing housing to be rented to someone other than a member of the immediate family.

'It also allows homeowners to earn rent, helping them meet the increased cost of living,' he said.

'We can move people into underutilised granny flats much more quickly than constructing new properties.'

More than 116,000 Australians don’t have a roof on their heads due to the housing crisis. Credit: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall.​

Queensland Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch pointed out that the roundtable had identified a gap in the availability of affordable and accessible housing, emphasising that renters were struggling to find a place to live.

'This shortfall has been exacerbated by the flooding in South East Queensland earlier in the year but is also an issue for many of the regional parts of the state, as interstate migration increased significantly in the past two years,' Ms Enoch explained.

She went on to say that both the Palaszczuk government and Shelter NSW are wholly committed to exploring a range of options for renters to gain access to more places to live.

'These proposals will provide greater housing choice and diversity within lower density residential areas to accommodate smaller households such as students, single persons, older people and couple-only households,' she said.

Mr Miles added that the new changes will be reviewed in three years to evaluate the future housing supply and ensure that the system does not result in any unintended consequences.

'Each homeowner will of course need to ensure their secondary dwelling complies with fire and building provisions, so accommodation for renters is safe,' he said.

The government needs to do more to address the housing crisis and to help those who are sleeping in their cars or tents. We need to build more affordable housing and provide more support for those who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

What are your thoughts on this? Given that rental markets continue to get tighter and many now struggle to cover the costs of putting a roof over their head, is allowing Aussies to rent out their backyard granny flats a good idea? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

 

[adorableagnes]

The housing crisis has left some Aussies with no other option but to sleep in their cars or tents. This is a travesty, and it's something that needs to be addressed immediately.

The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing Australia today. It's estimated that there are over 116,000 homeless people in our country, and many of them are sleeping in their cars or tents. This is not only unacceptable, but it's also dangerous.

Now, with the state government modifying legislation to permit persons who own granny flats on their property to rent them to people other than direct family members, Queensland residents in need of emergency accommodation have now received a boost.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced the changes on Friday, saying that they were a result of recommendations by stakeholders at the Queensland Housing Roundtable.

In addition to relaxing restrictions on the usage of so-called secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, Mr Miles confirmed that the new laws will ban out-of-state landlords, requiring them to either be a resident of or with connections in the community where they plan to rent.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles delivered the amendments that the QLD government has implemented on housing legislation. Credit: NCA NewsWire / John Gass.​

The politician claimed that many Queenslanders have granny flats on their properties, many of which were likely renovated for teens or other family members.

He went on to say that loosening the constraints on who can live in secondary dwellings would provide people with more housing choices.

'Right now, most homeowners can't rent secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, to anyone other than their immediate family,' said Mr Miles.

'At the same time, some Queenslanders are sleeping in their cars or tents.'

He continued by saying it made more sense for the government to permit such existing housing to be rented to someone other than a member of the immediate family.

'It also allows homeowners to earn rent, helping them meet the increased cost of living,' he said.

'We can move people into underutilised granny flats much more quickly than constructing new properties.'

More than 116,000 Australians don’t have a roof on their heads due to the housing crisis. Credit: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall.​

Queensland Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch pointed out that the roundtable had identified a gap in the availability of affordable and accessible housing, emphasising that renters were struggling to find a place to live.

'This shortfall has been exacerbated by the flooding in South East Queensland earlier in the year but is also an issue for many of the regional parts of the state, as interstate migration increased significantly in the past two years,' Ms Enoch explained.

She went on to say that both the Palaszczuk government and Shelter NSW are wholly committed to exploring a range of options for renters to gain access to more places to live.

'These proposals will provide greater housing choice and diversity within lower density residential areas to accommodate smaller households such as students, single persons, older people and couple-only households,' she said.

Mr Miles added that the new changes will be reviewed in three years to evaluate the future housing supply and ensure that the system does not result in any unintended consequences.

'Each homeowner will of course need to ensure their secondary dwelling complies with fire and building provisions, so accommodation for renters is safe,' he said.

The government needs to do more to address the housing crisis and to help those who are sleeping in their cars or tents. We need to build more affordable housing and provide more support for those who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

What are your thoughts on this? Given that rental markets continue to get tighter and many now struggle to cover the costs of putting a roof over their head, is allowing Aussies to rent out their backyard granny flats a good idea? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

Steven Miles is an absolute idiot. I'm surprised he is even smart enough to put his pants on without killing himself. "Out of state landlords will be banned" Think about that for a minute Steven! Lots of rental properties are owned by investor landlords who live out of the state, some are even out of the country. If they were banned from Queensland just imagine what that would do to both the property market and rental markets. Be sure brain is engaged before opening mouth.

 

[mylittletibbies]

The housing crisis has left some Aussies with no other option but to sleep in their cars or tents. This is a travesty, and it's something that needs to be addressed immediately.

The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing Australia today. It's estimated that there are over 116,000 homeless people in our country, and many of them are sleeping in their cars or tents. This is not only unacceptable, but it's also dangerous.

Now, with the state government modifying legislation to permit persons who own granny flats on their property to rent them to people other than direct family members, Queensland residents in need of emergency accommodation have now received a boost.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced the changes on Friday, saying that they were a result of recommendations by stakeholders at the Queensland Housing Roundtable.

In addition to relaxing restrictions on the usage of so-called secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, Mr Miles confirmed that the new laws will ban out-of-state landlords, requiring them to either be a resident of or with connections in the community where they plan to rent.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles delivered the amendments that the QLD government has implemented on housing legislation. Credit: NCA NewsWire / John Gass.​

The politician claimed that many Queenslanders have granny flats on their properties, many of which were likely renovated for teens or other family members.

He went on to say that loosening the constraints on who can live in secondary dwellings would provide people with more housing choices.

'Right now, most homeowners can't rent secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, to anyone other than their immediate family,' said Mr Miles.

'At the same time, some Queenslanders are sleeping in their cars or tents.'

He continued by saying it made more sense for the government to permit such existing housing to be rented to someone other than a member of the immediate family.

'It also allows homeowners to earn rent, helping them meet the increased cost of living,' he said.

'We can move people into underutilised granny flats much more quickly than constructing new properties.'

More than 116,000 Australians don’t have a roof on their heads due to the housing crisis. Credit: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall.​

Queensland Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch pointed out that the roundtable had identified a gap in the availability of affordable and accessible housing, emphasising that renters were struggling to find a place to live.

'This shortfall has been exacerbated by the flooding in South East Queensland earlier in the year but is also an issue for many of the regional parts of the state, as interstate migration increased significantly in the past two years,' Ms Enoch explained.

She went on to say that both the Palaszczuk government and Shelter NSW are wholly committed to exploring a range of options for renters to gain access to more places to live.

'These proposals will provide greater housing choice and diversity within lower density residential areas to accommodate smaller households such as students, single persons, older people and couple-only households,' she said.

Mr Miles added that the new changes will be reviewed in three years to evaluate the future housing supply and ensure that the system does not result in any unintended consequences.

'Each homeowner will of course need to ensure their secondary dwelling complies with fire and building provisions, so accommodation for renters is safe,' he said.

The government needs to do more to address the housing crisis and to help those who are sleeping in their cars or tents. We need to build more affordable housing and provide more support for those who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

What are your thoughts on this? Given that rental markets continue to get tighter and many now struggle to cover the costs of putting a roof over their head, is allowing Aussies to rent out their backyard granny flats a good idea? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

I wanted to let a family member live in my caravan in my backyard as they were not really capable of looking after themself properly.
Despite the fact that the caravan is in excellent condition, much better than a lot of homes I've seen, we had toilet and laundry facilities on our back verandah and this person could use one of our indoor bathrooms, this was not allowed.
He eventually ended up in hospital in a very bad state.
Go figure, who makes up these laws?? Who was it going to hurt??

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

The housing crisis has left some Aussies with no other option but to sleep in their cars or tents. This is a travesty, and it's something that needs to be addressed immediately.

The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing Australia today. It's estimated that there are over 116,000 homeless people in our country, and many of them are sleeping in their cars or tents. This is not only unacceptable, but it's also dangerous.

Now, with the state government modifying legislation to permit persons who own granny flats on their property to rent them to people other than direct family members, Queensland residents in need of emergency accommodation have now received a boost.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced the changes on Friday, saying that they were a result of recommendations by stakeholders at the Queensland Housing Roundtable.

In addition to relaxing restrictions on the usage of so-called secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, Mr Miles confirmed that the new laws will ban out-of-state landlords, requiring them to either be a resident of or with connections in the community where they plan to rent.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles delivered the amendments that the QLD government has implemented on housing legislation. Credit: NCA NewsWire / John Gass.​

The politician claimed that many Queenslanders have granny flats on their properties, many of which were likely renovated for teens or other family members.

He went on to say that loosening the constraints on who can live in secondary dwellings would provide people with more housing choices.

'Right now, most homeowners can't rent secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, to anyone other than their immediate family,' said Mr Miles.

'At the same time, some Queenslanders are sleeping in their cars or tents.'

He continued by saying it made more sense for the government to permit such existing housing to be rented to someone other than a member of the immediate family.

'It also allows homeowners to earn rent, helping them meet the increased cost of living,' he said.

'We can move people into underutilised granny flats much more quickly than constructing new properties.'

More than 116,000 Australians don’t have a roof on their heads due to the housing crisis. Credit: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall.​

Queensland Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch pointed out that the roundtable had identified a gap in the availability of affordable and accessible housing, emphasising that renters were struggling to find a place to live.

'This shortfall has been exacerbated by the flooding in South East Queensland earlier in the year but is also an issue for many of the regional parts of the state, as interstate migration increased significantly in the past two years,' Ms Enoch explained.

She went on to say that both the Palaszczuk government and Shelter NSW are wholly committed to exploring a range of options for renters to gain access to more places to live.

'These proposals will provide greater housing choice and diversity within lower density residential areas to accommodate smaller households such as students, single persons, older people and couple-only households,' she said.

Mr Miles added that the new changes will be reviewed in three years to evaluate the future housing supply and ensure that the system does not result in any unintended consequences.

'Each homeowner will of course need to ensure their secondary dwelling complies with fire and building provisions, so accommodation for renters is safe,' he said.

The government needs to do more to address the housing crisis and to help those who are sleeping in their cars or tents. We need to build more affordable housing and provide more support for those who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

What are your thoughts on this? Given that rental markets continue to get tighter and many now struggle to cover the costs of putting a roof over their head, is allowing Aussies to rent out their backyard granny flats a good idea? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!

Just the usual Qld labour government bluster, people have been renting Grannyflats for a few years regardless of the regulations, when I was looking for a place 8 years ago I was offered them here on the Gold Coast most of which were unsuited to my needs