Theconversation. A growing proportion of Australian households depend on the private rental sector for accommodation. This growth has occurred despite substantial insecurity of tenure under the law, unlike other countries with high private rental rates, such as Germany. Our newly published research on the impacts of long-term or even lifelong insecurity on Australian private renters found their responses range from lack of concern to constant fear and anxiety. So, how many people are affected? Back in the 1990s about one-fifth of us rented our homes from private landlords. Historically, renting was usually a transitional step in the life cycle. While this housing pathway is still dominant, a growing number of Australians cannot make this transition. Australian households rent accommodation under a regulatory framework that provides little protection against landlord-instigated “forced moves” or untenable rent increases. We discuss these responses in turn.
Incessant anxiety and fear Not a concern. Tenants fear eviction for challenging rent, reporting repairs. "Hideous," is how Andrew Gibson describes the half-metre of mould that has been growing on the carpet in his living room for the past year. In his kitchen the walls were "coming alive," until the owner installed a quick fix by sanding the mould back and covering it with gyprock walls, leaving a "30mm petri dish for mould to grow. " This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Caption Settings Dialog Beginning of dialog window. Moonee Ponds auction Rental prices on the rise Supply is tight and rents have continued to rise for the March quarter. Check out excerpts from Domain's live auction coverage. Chapel Hill auction A new day for Melbourne's outer east Melbourne's outer-eastern suburbs are undergoing dramatic change as a new crowd moves in.
Concrete beauty Take a look inside this gorgeous Sydney home. The perfect house Could one of these houses be the one? Albion Park plans unveiled "You put up with a lot of crap when you're a renter. Warnings Over Impact of Rental Reforms on Family Violence | PBA. Controversial rent-bidding app to launch in Australia - Your Mortgage Australia. Rentberry, a controversial Silicon Valley start-up that allows tenants to bid against each other for rental properties, will launch in Australia this year, amid fears it would jack up rates in Sydney and Melbourne’s already pricey rental markets. Alex Lubinsky, co-founder of Rentberry, said the platform would bring transparency to the Aussie rental market.
However, tenant advocates, including the Tenants Union of NSW and the Tenants Union of Victoria, have expressed their objections, saying the app tries to push rental rates as high as they can go. The app hosts online auctions for rentals, allowing prospective tenants to submit offers and custom renter profiles to landlords in order to secure a property. The app also allows tenants to see how much others are bidding and enables landlords to select the best offers. “This creates a healthy rental environment in which all prospective tenants can evaluate competition and make educated offers. Tenant advocates express their concerns. ‘Startling’ study shows long-term tenants going to extremes to make ends meet. Long-term Sydney and Melbourne renters are twice as likely as anyone else to go to extreme measures to make ends meet, such as pawning items, a paper provided exclusively to Domain reveals.
In the past 20 years, the number of tenants renting for 10 or more years has almost doubled in Australia. The rapid growth of this sector led three researchers to undertake a two-year study into an often overlooked part of the housing market. There are fears the launch of a “rent bidding” app will push Aussie rents up even higher. Photo: Jim Rice UNSW City Futures Research associate director Hal Pawson, University of Technology Sydney urban housing scholar Alan Morris and Swinburne University Centre for Urban Transitions director Kath Hulse, organised a survey of 600 Australians and detailed interviews with 60 long-term renters in Sydney and Melbourne. What they found was “startling”, Mr Pawson said. And one in 10 long-term tenants had resorted to pawning or selling items to make ends meet. Realestate.com. Tenant Scott has a list of renting horror stories, including living without an oven for a year, despite repeated pleas that it be fixed.
He’s content in his current home. Picture: Tony Gough TENANTS have reported being discriminated against for having kids and pets and fear reprisal for seeking repairs to their homes in a national renters survey. The findings have prompted the consumer advocates behind the research — Choice, National Shelter and the National Association of Tenants’ Organisations — to urge governments to prioritise rental security and quality issues. RENTAL REVIEW: Fear rental law changes could cause shortfall of affordable rentals It comes after a review into Victoria’s rental laws entered its final stage, with introducing minimal standards, banning unreasonable ‘no pets’ clauses and removing landlords’ power to evict tenants for “no specified reason” being considered.
The young father had to go to VCAT to get his oven fixed, and avoid being evicted. The answer to renters’ woes could be as simple as looking at commercial leases, experts say – Domain. The biggest bugbear of renters in Australia is the lack of security, but experts say there’s a simple overlooked answer to the problem – making residential contracts more like commercial leases. The current norm is for 12-month residential leases, after which tenants typically face a rent increase notice and, all things going well, the opportunity to sign up for another 12 months.
But a better arrangement for residential landlords and tenants is commercial-style five-year lease agreements, and the terms that come with those longer rental periods, LJ Hooker head of research Mathew Tiller said. “Long-term leases allow tenants in the commercial space to put their roots down and go about their business. Residential tenants should have the same option,” Mr Tiller said. There could also be “options” in residential contracts that could allow tenants to increase the length of the tenancy after two years of tenancy – something that’s already a feature of commercial leases, he said. Tasmanian rental market tough on single parents, ex-prisoners, pet owners, tenant group says. Updated Single parents, people with criminal records and pet owners are facing discrimination when it comes to renting in Tasmania, a tenant's advocacy group has said. The claims come as a new report from Choice on the experience of renters across the country found tenants often tolerate poor conditions for fear of eviction if they complain to their landlords.
Ben Bartl, from the Tenants' Union of Tasmania, said the report demonstrated that many Tasmanian tenants were also scared of being evicted. "Many tenants feel they are not able to report to the owner of the property or the real estate agent that they have concerns about repairs not being carried out, or that the proposed rent increase in unreasonable," he said. Mr Bartl said tenants should be able to stay in a property indefinitely, as long as they are paying their rent on time and keeping the property in good condition. "Our view is that housing is a right, it's not a business," he said. Rental nightmares as tenants, landlords deal with changing real estate landscape – Domain. It wasn’t until Erin Farrar had signed the 12-month rental lease for a house in Epping and moved in that she first noticed raw sewage gushing from a pipe in the yard, quite independent of any drainage system.
Then she saw the 240-volt wires stapled to the walls inside the house, above the sink. And then the rickety back staircase that looked like it might collapse or splinter at any moment. And then the toilet that didn’t flush… A relaxing bath to soothe her taut nerves wasn’t an option, either. Joel Pringle and his partner Elena Rosseel were startled to receive a letter threatening eviction for unpaid rent – as far as they knew they were up to date. “I got in touch with the real estate agent, but they absolutely refused to do anything,” says Ms Farrar, 31, a student. Erin Farrar had signed the 12-month rental lease for a house in Epping when she discovered raw sewage leaking into the backyard. “I went over there but wasn’t even allowed in,” she says. Find out now! Renters too scared to ask for repairs. Georgie Moore - AAP Fears about potential eviction, blacklisting, and rent hikes are stopping one-in-seven Australian tenants from making complaints about or requesting repairs on rental properties.
A report by affordable housing, tenant and consumer groups says there's an "entrenched culture of fear among renters" and that the significant power imbalance between landlords and tenants must be addressed. Half of more than 1000 renters surveyed say they are worried that a repair request or complaint could land them on the blacklisted tenancy database, while 14 per cent decide not to risk it, the National Association of Tenants' Organisations, National Shelter and Choice found.
"People are reluctant to complain to agents or landlords because they're worried about rent increases or eviction," a National Association of Tenants Orgnisations' spokesperson said. "It's hard to imagine a product or service this poor in any other sector. " (Source: Unsettled: Life in Australia's private rental market) Renters too scared to ask for repairs. Renters have little security, put up with a lot and fear eviction: survey. Updated The nation's first national survey of housing tenants has revealed renters in Australia have little security and lack the power to demand standard property maintenance.
Key points: 83 per cent of people surveyed were living with little to no long-term securityA quarter who had asked for repairs had received no reply from an agentMany are also too scared to complain out of fear of being "blacklisted" Tenants are putting up with poor-quality housing and many face the threat of eviction if they complain to their landlord, according to researchers. The survey, entitled Unsettled: Life in Australia's Private Rental Market, was conducted jointly by consumer group Choice, the NGO National Shelter and the National Association of Tenant Organisations. Its release today comes amid an ongoing political debate on housing affordability. Rates of homelessness nationwide are also on the rise. "Attached to security is a culture of fear," Mr Levey said. Renting: the 'hidden story' in Australian housing. New survey uncovers widespread fear and anxiety in Australia's private rental market.
At first it was just a bit of mould in the bathroom. But when repeated attempts to remove it failed, Lara Cook's real estate agent told her she would have to move out of her rented apartment in Coogee for four weeks while the bathroom was remodelled. At considerable cost, she did. Upon her return she stepped in the shower – and the water pipe burst. The real estate agent told her the apartment was uninhabitable and she would have to vacate. This is a modal window. Caption Settings Dialog Beginning of dialog window. How often should you clean... Unit rents spike despite construction ... Unit rents spike despite construction boom It now costs more than ever to rent an apartment.
How often should you wash pillows or clean the towels? Paddington terrace reimagined This Sydney home has to be see to be believed. The Paper Mill Check out this new development in Liverpool. Investing in property? Here's some top tips if you're thinking of investing in bricks and mortar. Prestige picks. MOTIONS : Housing Affordability. Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (12:32): I, and also on behalf of Senator Cameron, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the proportion of Australians leasing in the private rental housing market is the highest in over 50 years, (ii) long-run structural changes in Australia's housing system are leading to increasing numbers of households choosing to rent on a long-term and, in some cases, a permanent basis, (iii) comparative international studies, including a 2011 study by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, show that tenancy laws administered by the Australian states and territories perform poorly in the provision of tenant protections against arbitrary eviction, excessive rent increases and allowing tenants the full enjoyment of their home, (iv) in the absence of affordable owner-occupied housing, life-long renting is now a prospect for many people, and (v) Australian tenancy laws may no longer be fit for purpose; and.
Is a Lack of Regulation Creating Rental Housing Slums? Indeed, as it turned out, the Port Albert house which Vicky Shields rented out in the Gippsland region of Victoria turned out to be a shocker. Three rooms had holes in either the ceilings or the floor, the floor was constantly damp due to regular flooding, mould was everywhere and the place was infested with rats, had substandard wiring, damaged doors and windows and several appliances which were not in working order. Yet Shields, who had previously been homeless and has a mental illness, had found nothing else which she could afford. In 2014, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT) dismissed a case she bought on and ruled that the landlord was under no obligation to bring it up to scratch because the house’s poor condition had been disclosed prior to the commencement of the lease.
Regrettably, Shields is not alone in her experience. Available evidence suggests this story is in fact repeated elsewhere. Such fears are underpinned by a number of factors. Why are tenancy rights so poor in Australia? Finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of major banks, insurers and product issuers. finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product. You should consider whether the products featured on our site are appropriate for your needs and seek independent advice if you have any questions.
The identification of a group of products, as 'Top' or 'Best' is a reflection of user preferences based on current website data. On a regular basis, analytics drive the creation of a list of popular products. Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment. We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad based comparison service. Renters to have more rights under possible changes. Renters could have long-term leases and greater protection under a state government review of Victoria's renting laws. Possible changes to the Residential Tenancies Act include leases of more than five years, banning rental bids, restricting rent rises to once a year and banning no-pet clauses. Family violence victims may be able to challenge notices to vacate stemming from the perpetrator's behaviour, while eviction notices may need supporting evidence.
Tenants could need landlord consent before listing a property on Airbnb or similar sites Other options include minimum health and safety standards for rental properties and incentives for landlords to make repairs quickly, such as restrictions on charging market rent. A new mediation service with powers to make binding decisions could be introduced under possible changes. Acting Consumer Affairs Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said renters and landlords were being urged to have their say. Rent or buy? The evidence is in. Renters to have more rights under possible changes. Rising house prices call for an urge to preserve security for renters | Altmedia. Rent or buy in Australia? Why you should rent right now. Shifting housing trends mean Australia’s lagging tenancy laws undermine renters. Vulnerable rooming house residents stung with skyrocketing rents.
Australians can now insure their rental bonds. Greens attack major parties over rental affordability. When should landlords be allowed to evict tenants? “Permanent renters” on the rise—economist - Your Mortgage Australia. 3.6 million Australians stuck renting forever. New research reveals many Aussies fear they will never be able to afford to buy a home. Home ownership dream dead for millions: survey. No Cookies | Daily Telegraph. This Saturday's Letter to the Public from a health inspector struggling to hold bad landlords to account #ukhousing. Backpackers 'manipulated into staying in expensive substandard housing' to have farm work signed off.
Emerging fractional property investment platforms pledge to improve lives of renters. Renters' rights: The forgotten part of the housing debate. Single mother: Our crumbling safety net. Mice, motels and misery: what it's like when a home is out of reach. 'We have to be treated like humans': Court's landmark ruling on rental rights. Rents are dropping with predictions that they won’t go up for some time. The answer to renters’ woes: A mandatory test for landlords. One in five Victorian tenants offer to pay extra rent, survey reveals. Renting In Australia: One Country, Eight Different Rules. Renting families get the raw end of the stick - here's why. Victorian rental laws under review with landlord repairs under scrutiny. Apartment rents continue to climb in Sydney: Domain Group.