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Welcome to our blog. Staff at the Tenants' Union and occasional guests offer their commentary and analysis of our renting system. We hope to inform, educate and debate the legal, political and cultural aspects of this renting life. For an official quote for media use, or questions regarding our research, policy or publications please contact us. For more articles see the Brown Couch archive, the Clearing House, and general news.  For factsheets see Tenancy info.

 

Jemima Mowbray | 13/04/2023

In case of emergency break glass: rental reforms needed urgently

Almost everyday for the last few months the Tenants’ Union has received calls or emails from journalists asking us to talk about the rental crisis and its impact on people’s lives. They ask, “…
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Leo Patterson Ross | 31/03/2023

Tenants' Union at the Community Sector Blueprint launch

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Jemima Mowbray | 24/03/2023

Privacy, data and discrimination in renting

We recently asked renters to share with us what kinds of information had been requested from them when applying for a rental property. This is what they told us.
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Jemima Mowbray | 03/03/2023

A huge win for NSW renters

Today the NSW Liberals and Nationals joined NSW Labor and the NSW Greens and committed to ending 'no grounds' evictions for periodic (or rolling) tenancies. This means we really have a…
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Riley Brooke | 21/02/2023

NSW Election Announcement Tracker

NSW Election Announcement Tracker: What renting policies have been announced ahead of the March 25 NSW election? What would these policies mean for NSW renters?
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Jemima Mowbray | 06/02/2023

The 2023 NSW election could be a renters' election #RentersElection2023

The 2023 NSW state election comes in the middle of a rental housing crisis. As voters head to the polls renters' issues will matter, and how parties are addressing the problems renters face…
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Leo Patterson Ross | 11/01/2023

Pitter patter towards pet-friendly homes

New South Wales Labor has announced its plan for pets and renting in the March 2023 state election. The plan is an improvement on current laws that allow landlords to refuse requests or impose…
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Leo Patterson Ross | 14/12/2022

Banning rent bidding: what do the new protections do?

You have likely heard the NSW Government this week signed off on changes to introduce new protections against rent bidding. These will come into effect for any new listings from this Saturday,…
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Riley Brooke | 08/12/2022

Pets & renting: what does the community have to say?

The NSW Government has just closed a 6-week consultation on keeping pets in rental homes. In addition to the Tenants' Union's policy submission, we created a Make Renting Fair campaign…
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Anonymous | 17/10/2022

The insecurity and uncertainty of renting: 'A constant exercise in weighing up options.'

At the recent Briefing on Healthy Homes for Renters held at NSW Parliament on 13 October 2022, Sarah* shared her experience renting her home. Though a lawyer and academic researcher, Sarah…
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Jack Moon | 09/10/2022

Who is using the Tribunal and why?

We are always trying to better understand what is happening for NSW renters. We want to make sure we can identify the problems and pressures renters are experiencing, as well as whether the…
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Alistair Sisson | 13/09/2022

Examining claims about the social objectives of estate renewal

As the NSW Government moves to implementing its decision to redevelop the Waterloo Estate, the social objectives claimed for the redevelopment and what is needed to deliver them becomes a focus…
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