News and announcements

Tenant Advocates speak out against unfair evictions

Tenant Advocates at the Inner Sydney Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service
Following the NSW government’s recent decision not to abolish ‘no grounds’ evictions as part of upcoming rental reforms, Nicole Kennedy (Tenancy Coordinator at Inner Sydney Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service at Redfern Legal Centre) spoke to Eastside Radio 89.7 FM about how these laws impact tenants.
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Community groups joint statement on public housing bonds

Community groups logos
Key community groups call for the plan to be dropped amid concerns it will make life harder for people living in public housing, increase administrative costs of the Family and Community Services department, and be unlikely to have any benefits for the department in costs or tenant behaviour.
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Research: Energy efficiency in NSW social housing

radiator with text overlay. text reads "How energy efficient is your public or community housing home?"
Researchers at UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales), the University of Wollongong, CSIRO and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage are seeking volunteer research participants to learn about the energy efficiency and thermal comfort levels of public and community housing in NSW.
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Half of all apartments in NSW to have no say in short term letting rules

Picture reads "Half of all apartments in NSW to have no say in short term letting rules"
Today’s announcement from the NSW Government in relation to short term holiday lettings is disappointing as it will not effectively protect against the potential impacts of holiday lettings and excludes many tenants from engaging in community decisions.
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Track rents in your local area – new postcode tool for tenants

Postcode Rent Tracker graphic
Today the Tenants' Union has released the first version of a new tool to help tenants in NSW. We believe the more information people who rent have the better, and now using data directly from the Rental Bond Board, you can check what the latest rents data is for any postcode in NSW with the Rent Tracker Postcode Tool.
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Government takes step in the right direction but needs to walk all the way with tenants

Redfern tenants showing support for the Make Renting Fair campaign
The Tenants’ Union welcomes the NSW government’s announcement of reforms this week for survivors of domestic and family violence in rented homes but urges action to make renting fair.
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David and Goliath: One tenant’s 14-year battle for repairs

David Bott
Public housing tenant David Bott
David Bott’s long-running battle in the Tribunal shone a light on a serious issue which public housing tenants know all too well: the systematic failure of FACS to do necessary repairs. After 14 years, FACS made the necessary repairs, but only after getting dangerously close to being found in contempt of the Tribunal. Thanks to David’s tenacity, his case has also paved the way for significant changes to the way FACS will deal with repairs issues.
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Research into housing for younger people

Swinburne logo
Are you living at home, sharing or renting on your housing? Are you aged between 18-35 years? Help make a difference for better housing choices.
Have your say on the type of housing young people want to live in today & in the future and receive a $50 Coles/Myer voucher for your time.
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Share Housing in Sydney: Questionnaire

Computer mobile phone and blank book laying on a wooden table
Older people are increasingly living in share accommodation. Simultaneously, there is an increasing use of ‘smart’ technologies that influence people’s access to and experience of housing. The University of Sydney is carrying out research covering both these issues and you can help!
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WESTS celebrates 10 years

WESTS team with Dr Geoff Lee
The Western Sydney Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service (WESTS) recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary at Western Sydney Community Legal Centre (WSCLC). WESTS can be proud to have reached this milestone knowing that they have helped many thousands of renters over the years – last year alone they assisted over 3,000 new clients.
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