WA Rent Increase Limits and Termination Grounds for Residential Tenancies

Residential Tenancies Amendment (Rent Cap) Bill 2026

Private Member's Bill

7 May 2026: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

Assent

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Topics

evictions housing rent increases rental market social housing tenancy agreements

Introduced by: Tim Clifford MLC (GRN)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Lessors cannot raise rent beyond the increase limit; they must have a pre-agreed calculation method, a written agreement from the tenant, or court approval.
Fines of $5,000 apply to anyone who demands or receives rent that exceeds a court-ordered amount.
Lessors can only end periodic residential tenancies for specific reasons; these include moving in, selling the property, or performing major renovations.
Residential tenancies no longer end automatically on the expiry date; the tenant must give notice to leave.
Social housing lessors can end tenancies to sell, renovate, or change the use of the premises; they must give at least 90 days' notice.
Social housing tenants can ask a court to extend their notice period by up to 60 days; they must apply within 7 days of receiving the notice.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Tim Clifford GRN

“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. This bill addresses the central social justice issue in the lives of many Western Australians—the affordability and security of housing in the rental market. Housing is not simply another sector of the economy. It is a human right. It also underpins social stability, economic participation and individual wellbeing.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Renters rights in WA

Tim Clifford MLC, WA Greens housing spokesperson — 2026-05-05

While news of WA Labor’s intention to ban no-fault evictions is encouraging and welcome, it doesn’t go far enough while renters are being utterly smashed by the skyrocketing cost of rent. Legally capping the amount by which landlords can raise rents is one of the few things that would really put downward pressure on the rental market.