Fixing the Housing System: 101 Things

A slight exaggeration. I don't have the time to list 101 things the government could do to fix the housing system. But after an hour of brainstorming, I came up with ten things.

1. Form an agency that that administers all laws to do with housing, including public housing. 

2. An explicit, general, and enforceable right to safe and healthy premises.

3. An inquiry into practices of the real estate industry.

4. A licensing system for landlords to ensure they do not breach residential tenancy laws.

5. Minimum standards in every state and territory of Australia.

6. A dedicated and trained inspectorate empowered with the right to enter premises and issue fines to landlords and agents.

7. Recognition that tenants have human rights.

8. Funding for research.

9. Police training so that acts of trespass by landlords and agents are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

10. Amalgamation of all housing acts into the one.

The thing is, it would be very easy to fix the housing system. But it would take a politician with balls to do it.