COTA SA welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2023.

Secure housing plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of older South Australians, but a variety of factors mean that it is rapidly moving out of reach for an increasing number of them. As home ownership and access to public housing decreases, an increasing number of older South Australians rely on private rental housing. Currently, 20% of older (55+) Australian households are renters.

Affordability, security of tenure, accessibility, adaptability and ageing in community are critical considerations for older people when it comes to their housing. With an increasing number of older people relying on the private rental market as a long-term housing option, the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 is an important vehicle to improve the viability of the private rental market.