ACT Greens push for portable bond system to ease renters' financial burden

The ACT Greens have called for the introduction of a portable rental-bond program to alleviate the financial strain on renters who must often pay a new bond before their previous one is returned. Rebecca Vassarotti, the party's housing spokeswoman, explained that the scheme would allow tenants to move their existing bond to a new property, with any difference either paid by the renter or refunded, reducing the extra cost that many find prohibitive.

She intends to bring a motion before parliament before the end of the year unless the ACT government commits to the proposal earlier. Currently, renters can only transfer bonds when the same landlord or agency manages both properties. Attorney-General Tara Cheyne said the government is monitoring developments in Victoria and New South Wales, where optional portable-bond systems with a modest administration fee have been launched.

The NSW Tenants' Union's Leo Patterson has criticized the fee as a burden on low-income renters. Canberra, despite strong tenancy protections, remains the third most expensive capital for renting, with many households earning $75,000 or less facing high rental costs.