Tenants' Union of NSW

Years of advocacy, community organising, and relentless efforts by renters, housing advocates, and the NSW network of local Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Services paved the way for the passing of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2024 in Parliament. The Bill introduces a range of reforms focused on eviction protections, pet-friendly renting, rent increases, and payment rules. These changes begin to address the imbalance of power in the rental market, strengthening renters’ security and stability. The reforms are a significant step toward a fairer and better balanced rental landscape, and while not perfect - the impact on individuals, families, and communities across NSW will be profound, and even better, this is just the beginning. We will be watching closely for misuse and problems that may emerge as these new laws take effect. What are the reforms?: https://lnkd.in/gBEJ8i7s

Watching the start of debate on the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill. It's quite a day seeing this reform now so close and with broad support across the Parliament. Thanks to the Minister Anoulack Chanthivong who introduced the bill last week and all the MPs who spoke tonight: Tim James, Tim Crakanthorp, Alex Greenwich, Jenny Aitchison, Matt Cross, Trish Doyle, Jenny Leong, Liza Butler, Felicity Wilson, Julia Finn, Kobi Shetty, David Mehan, Tamara Smith, Ed Husic and Jordan Lane (and apologies to any who speak tomorrow!) who jointly recognised, even within some disagreement, just how important the reform of no grounds evictions are to a fair and well functioning rental system. All of these members have been clear that the renting system does need to work better for renters. Tomorrow we'll start to see discussion and debate of amendments to make sure this Bill is effective at its goal. Some of the amendments already flagged tonight include data and monitoring, and review of the legislation. We will still have work to do after this bill passes - make sure the rules are implemented and enforced well, that renters know what the rules are, and that if issues appear they can be addressed. You can feel that hanging over everyone is the awareness that in particular rent prices, long term stability and supply of genuinely affordable housing still need to be addressed. But reforming no grounds evictions is absolutely essential to any thing else we do.

Newcastle Renters out there - come along and have your say about your rental experiences and ideas for improvement, so that renting is safe and can create a sense of home. Limited spots so register soon here: https://lnkd.in/ga-TR45E Tenants' Union of NSW Hunter Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service Inc Hunter Community Alliance Mosaic University of Newcastle

🚨 UPDATE from Tenants' Union of NSW Chief Executive Officer, Leo Patterson Ross, outside Parliament for the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2024 where we heard about pets, termination of tenancies and payment of rent. 🚨 Current bill details here: https://lnkd.in/ga3e3eu3

Earlier in the year we hosted three renters forums alongside Sydney Alliance, and in partnership with NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones. At each event we heard from such an incredible room of renters who shared their experiences renting, in particular around access to rental homes, the cost of living, affordability, and their concerns for energy and climate. These forums are focused on renters' experiences and also their ideas about priorities and solutions. Our next forum is coming up on Thursday, 17/10/2024 between 5pm and 7:30pm in Newcastle, alongside Hunter Tenants' Advice Service. Please register through this link here: https://lnkd.in/gH5cJupJ

Marnie Robertson spent $140,000 for a "house and land package" in the Coolah Caravan Park that is now literally falling apart around her. Back in 2017, an engineer deemed the house “not suitable for occupation” with more than 100 defects. The "best caravan park in Australia" promised "real estate security", but now 18 pensioners are faced with potential homelessness. Read the great write up by Annika Blau and Gina McKeon for ABC: https://lnkd.in/gF-6g3cC

Don’t miss your chance! There are Only 2 weeks left to apply for the NSWALC’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). NSWALC is looking for young people to join the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). The Youth Advisory Committee provides young Aboriginal people with a chance to develop their leadership skills in a 2-year term. This includes an objective to engage with our youth and membership across the land rights network. Application closes on 13 October 2024. Find out more and apply today at www.alc.org.au

Everybody's Home released their 'Priced Out' report this week. It finds that people on the lowest incomes are being priced out of renting in virtually every corner of the country, despite last week's rise in Centrelink payments and rent assistance. Everybody’s Home ‘Priced Out’ Report found individuals receiving $499 a week through Jobseeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance payments would not be able to afford the average weekly rent of $547 across Australia. In capital cities with average weekly rent for units at $621, Jobseeker recipients would need to find another $122 a week just to cover rent alone. Australians on income support are now either completely priced out, or navigating extreme rental stress. To quote Everybody's Home: "The findings of our 'Priced Out' report ought to be shocking. Instead, they are the latest in a seemingly endless series of reports and studies showing the extent of Australia’s housing affordability crisis."

Under current rental laws in NSW, a tenant can request to keep a pet, but the landlord can refuse without providing any reason. Premier Chris Minns, who made a pre-election promise to make pet ownership easier for renters, said his government had a mandate to "modernise the rental market." Under the planned legislation by the NSW Government, a landlord will have to provide a valid reason for rejecting an animal. This is really important to lots of renters - including us at the Tenants' Union of NSW. This is good news confirming action, and renters have lobbied for this and truly shown how important it is to them. We have heard about how your pets are your family. Help us carry it over the finish line with your renting with pets story here: https://lnkd.in/g9z88jcd The Tenants' Union of NSW is excited to see the text of the bill, and hope to make sure the legislation genuinely makes it easier for renters to have pets. See more by Nick Dole for ABC here: https://lnkd.in/g5qD2a9a

With the increase in maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance kicking in today, Leo takes a closer look at the payment and what difference it will make (and what else we can do!) https://bit.ly/4dbWc7y