Just a reminder that none of these legislative changes have been passed as yet, but it’s likely that it will come into effect in the near future as the government try to align our legislation with other states nationally.
Preventing injuries and deaths caused by toppling furniture is a 2022-23 priority for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC estimates that in Australia, toppling furniture results in multiple deaths and at least 900 injuries requiring medical treatment each year. Most of these involve children under 5 years of age.

The RTA prevents tenants making alterations or additions to their rental property without the landlord’s written consent. This can prevent tenants safely anchoring furniture to keep it from toppling.
Amendments to tenancy law in WA and VIC allow for tenants to attach furniture to a wall using wall anchors, with some exceptions, including where the home is heritage listed or contains asbestos. It is proposed that similar amendments are introduced in SA.
Allowing tenants to make other minor alterations at their own expense—such as installing child safety gates, childproof latches, wireless outdoor cameras, water saving showerheads or handheld showerheads to assist elderly or disabled occupants, and temporarily replacing internal window coverings (like curtains and removable blinds)—is also a matter for consideration.
What do we have now?
Currently most tenancy agreements will specify that the tenants are not allowed to make changes to the rental property at all.
I have always recommended for tenants to use 3M hooks, and the method of removal so that they can make the home feel like their own, but there are still limitations with 3M hooks, and these cannot be used to anchor furniture.
I can understand some tenants may want greater security and to install a wireless camera such as a Ring doorbell, and currently this can only be installed with landlord consent.
What might change?
It may mean that your tenants will be able to make these small changes, such as a Ring doorbell, childproof latches on kitchen cupboards etc without approval, but I would imagine there would still be scope to specify that the property will be returned in the condition in which it was given.
Therefore if they were to put holes in the wall to safely anchor furniture, it would be reasonable to expect the wall would be patched and painted at the end of a tenancy.
If this were to be the case, there really is no negative to this change, and it would mean tenants can treat the home like their own, which may increase the duration of tenancies, and may prompt greater care if it is 'their' home, as opposed to not settling in, feeling like they are unable to enjoy their space. It may well be one of the better changes proposed, and results in a win-win for all parties.
What does it mean for you?
As a landlord, it might increase the number of repairs required at the end of the tenancy if the property is not returned in the same condition and the tenants do not repair any changes made. I would always recommend sufficient landlord insurance as the bond is unlikely to cover this.
It might also mean your tenants stay longer than they might have normally if they were allowed to treat the home as their own (within reason).
Anecdotally, I do believe that the majority of tenants would welcome this change, and appreciate it for what it is. Rather than feeling "less than" for being tenants, which is a common complaint, they would feel gratitude and would do the right thing and repair any damages caused by having this ability to make minor changes.
If you want to explore this further and what it might mean for your property, feel free to reach out on 0426 241 676 or hello@tayloredproperty.com.au
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