The Western Australian government's decision to abolish no grounds evictions was welcomed by advocates on Monday, but for some families it has come too late.
No-grounds evictions will be banned in the state in what the WA government has described as a "commonsense approach" in an increasingly dire housing market.
WA and the Northern Territory are the only two jurisdictions in Australia to allow the practice.
Under the proposed laws, landlords will no longer be allowed to terminate a tenant's lease without providing a reason.
Kaye Miller, an Indigenous woman whose daughter Mary Anne died homeless in Western Australia, said: "This news comes too late for my daughter, but it's not too late for the next family."
"Hopefully this could save the life of the next young mother in my daughter's situation," she said.
WA Attorney-General Tony Buti told 102.5 ABC Perth it was important to have a "fair balance" between landlords and tenants.
"The market is a very tight market. People are feeling pressure. Tenants need security," Dr Buti said.
End Unfair Evictions campaign spokesperson Dr Betsy Buchanan OAM aid the move was "long overdue".
"No grounds evictions from social housing have cost too many lives. Ending unfair evictions will save lives," she said.
"This reform, if implemented in full, will help to Close the Gap in Western Australia."
End Unfair Evictions campaigner Jesse Noakes said, despite fears expressed by the Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA), that "there is no evidence from any other state that ending unfair no grounds evictions has an impact on rental supply".
"Even if a property investor sells a house, it is not as if it disappears into a puff of smoke. Either it houses someone who was previously renting, or it returns to the rental market," he said.
"Rental supply in WA has fallen from more than 14,000 in 2018 to just 3,000 properties this year according to Anglicare. The rental market can't get any worse - this can only make things better.
"Given that the WA government currently evicts hundreds of families every year, with up to 40 per cent of those no grounds evictions, it is encouraging that these proposed reforms will also prevent the unfair evictions of families into homelessness from public housing."
Other reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 proposed by the WA government include the introduction of clear standards for rental properties.
There are also proposed reforms to restrict the types of information landlords, agents or third parties can request from prospective tenants.
"Personal information should only be collected from prospective tenants to assess a rental application and should not be shared without written consent," the government said in a statement on Monday.
As a further cost of living measure, renters must be provided one avenue to pay their rent without incurring service or other fees.
The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety will consult on the detail of these reforms during the drafting process.
As part of State Budget 2026-27, the WA government will also be extending the Rent Relief program as part of a $13.5 million boost.
Applications for the existing rent relief scheme were due to close on 30 June 2026, but the program will now be extended until 30 June 2027 to help more people stay in their current homes.
