Thousands of Queenslanders living in manufactured homes can now expect fairer and more predictable site rent increases following the government’s recent legislative reforms.
The state parliament passed the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Amendment Bill 2024, providing significant protections and cost-of-living certainty for residents in residential parks, the government said in a media release.
The reforms introduced by the bill aim to create a more equitable environment for homeowners by:
- Prohibiting market rent reviews.
- Limiting site rent increases to the higher of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 3.5 per cent.
- Implementing an opt-in buyback and site reduction scheme for homes on the market for over 18 months.
- Establishing fairer processes for terminating site agreements and compensating homeowners.
- Adjusting the definition of CPI to better align with increases in the aged pension.
In six months, additional reforms will take effect, requiring new site agreements to offer multiple rent payment options, thereby enhancing convenience for residents.
Park owners will have 12 months to implement these options for all existing homeowners.
Further key reforms in the bill, which will be enacted at a later date by proclamation, include:
- Introducing residential park comparison documents.
- Modifying home-selling processes.
- Imposing new registration requirements for residential parks.
- Mandating maintenance and capital replacement plans.
Minister for Housing, Local Government, Planning, and Public Works Meaghan Scanlon emphasised the positive impact of these reforms.
“These reforms will bring cost of living relief and certainty for the thousands of manufactured home park residents across Queensland.”
The minister continued, “Unlike the LNP who have repeatedly refused to engage with manufactured home owners, the Miles Government has listened and we have acted.”
Dr Roger Marshall, president of the Queensland Manufactured Home Owners Association, praised the new legislation.
“This Bill provides greater consumer protections for owners of manufactured homes and go a long way towards addressing some of their long-held concerns, particularly those in relation to excessive increases in site rents and the sale of home,” he noted.
The Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 (MHRP Act) aims to regulate and promote fair trading practices in residential parks, protecting homeowners from unfair business practices and enabling informed choices.
As of 31 March 2024, Queensland has 203 residential parks with 25,513 sites, home to approximately 38,000 residents.
Projections indicate the development of 55 new residential parks within the next decade, potentially adding 10,000 more manufactured homes.
