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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.

 

Riley Brooke | 12/09/2022

Citizens' Assemblies and renting policy: an avenue for fair rental reform?

Citizens Assemblies are being increasingly explored in other jurisdictions as an avenue to achieve fair and sensible legislative reform across a wide range of issues - including renting.…
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Pamela Hunter | 05/09/2022

Supporting vulnerable tenants during a crisis 

When the pandemic first hit Australia, COVID-19 did not discriminate, and we saw people of all walks of life impacted. The same now goes for the rising cost of living. It too does not…
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Jemima Mowbray | 23/08/2022

Landlords hiking rents: what can we do?

Over the past year we have seen rents in NSW – and across Australia – increasing at a significant rate and by a significant amount. In this blog we look at what renters can do, including looking…
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Eloise Parrab | 01/08/2022

Embedded networks leaving renters disadvantaged

If you have never lived in an embedded network then many of you might be asking what this is and what does it have to do with renters? It's no surprise to the Tenants Union of NSW that a…
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Jemima Mowbray | 04/07/2022

Census 2021: Renters are the fastest growing tenure in Australia.

Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its first round of data from last year's Census (2021). This is the key population data collected on Census night, though some…
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Rita Wilkinson | 30/06/2022

Everyone deserves a healthy home: Climate disruption and rental homes in NSW

Climate change is not new. Scientists have been monitoring the effects of increased carbon in our atmosphere, and the reduction of greenhouse gases has been a well publicised global issue since…
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Robert Mowbray | 21/06/2022

'I'm living in my car': Older people and homelessness in NSW

The Standing Committee on Social Issues of the New South Wales Legislative Council currently is conducting an Enquiry into 'Homelessness amongst older people aged over 55 in New South Wales…
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Jemima Mowbray | 01/06/2022

A new Federal Ministry announced. Who is responsible for housing?

The Albanese Labor Government this week announced their new cabinet line up, with 19 MPs and 4 Senators included in the new 23 person cabinet. In this blog we provide a quick rundown of the new…
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Grant Arbuthnot | 23/05/2022

Granny flat blues – challenges and trends

One outcome of the current housing crisis has been an increase in the construction and occupation of ‘granny flats’. All of the typical tenancy problems come up in relation to granny flats, as…
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Riley Brooke | 23/05/2022

The case to end blanket pet bans for renters in NSW

NSW saw changes to strata regulation in late 2020 that had implications for owner-occupiers, and a small proportion of renters, in strata properties. However, as we outline here, these changes…
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Maggie | 27/04/2022

Maggie's renting story: Living in and Leaving Affordable Housing 

Maggie has lived in an Affordable Housing apartment with their partner and children for three-and-a-half years. They're about to move out, into a property they'll be privately renting…
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Riley Brooke | 06/04/2022

Peter's renting story

Peter* is an academic lecturer and researcher who had been living in his Eastern Suburbs apartment for 6 years when he was issued a ‘no grounds’ termination notice, in October of 2021. The…
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