Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
Is it really too late to fix your mortgage interest rate?
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Hi Nicole, We are looking to refinance our home loan and considering fixing the interest rate on the whole amount. However, you often write that it is not good to fix the entire loan balance. Given how good fixed rates look now, should we bite the bullet and do it? Thank you, Greg. Great question Greg [Read on]
https://www.smh.com.au/money/borrowing/is-it-really-too-late-to-…
# Australia, Home ownership, Housing market.Should home inspections be suspended for areas that are in lockdown?
ABC (No paywall)Watch ABC The Drum's discussion on Wednesday, 11 August 2021 about renting and access issues during lockdown? The segment begins at around the 37 minutes point. (ABC The Drum) Also, check 'Renters' Guide to COVID-19' at: [https://www.tenants.org.au/covid19/guide]
# TUNSW in the media, Video NSW, Privacy and access, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19, Housing market.Call for COVID-19 rental relief after tribunal backs eviction in landmark case
Jewel Topsfield The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Victorians unable to pay rent between March 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be forced to repay what they owe until after October 25, a landmark tribunal case has determined. However, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found it was lawful to evict a person for unpaid rent accrued during the state’s moratorium on evictions after the suspension ended on March 28. The test case has renewed calls for the state government to introduce a rental assistance package that includes rent relief and targeted legal protections for renters affected by the pandemic as Victoria weathers its sixth lockdown.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/call-for-covid-19-renta…
# Hot topic Australia, Eviction, Rent, Tribunal NCAT, Coronavirus COVID-19, State Government.COVID-19 Financial Incentives for Landlords
Tenants' Union of NSW (No paywall)The NSW Government has introduced financial incentives that can be claimed by landlords who provide a rent reduction to tenants impacted by COVID-19 during this period. If you are an ‘impacted tenant’, you can advise your landlord that if they provide you with a rent reduction, then they can claim one of the ... two types of government payments. [Read on]
https://www.tenants.org.au/news/covid-19-financial-incentives-la…
# Hot topic NSW, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19, Landlords and agents.Older Women & Housing
Shelter WA (No paywall)Older women’s homelessness is often hidden from view. The 2016 Census estimated that 6,866 older women were homeless and a further 5,820 older women were living in marginal housing and may be at risk of homelessness. Older women are the fastest growing group at risk due to lower lifetime incomes, less access to financial assets such as superannuation because they are more likely to take on informal care responsibilities, relationship breakdown, and the consequences of family and domestic violence. With zero per cent of private rentals in Perth affordable to singles on government income support the choices are limited. This event highlighted the issues older women are currently facing and experiencing with an exploration into solutions across permanent and appropriate options for homes so older women on low incomes can age well.
# Australia, Rent, Affordable housing, Health, Homelessness, Older people, Women.The face of homelessness in Australia is changing
Claire Victory Pearls and Irritations (No paywall)As house prices soar and wages stagnate, the housing affordability crisis is creeping towards middle Australia. Governments have left housing to the market and the market has failed. Deb Madden was devastated after her husband died and with few people to call upon, Deb faced the added burden of being unable to afford the rent on her apartment. She became one of a fast‑growing number of older women experiencing homelessness. Vinnies was able to help first by providing a room in a local hostel and then helping Deb to relocate to a permanent home in one of Vinnies’ brand new social housing sites.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-face-of-homelessness-in-australia-is…
# Australia, Public and community housing, Home ownership, Homelessness, Older people, Tax, Women.Landlords Banning Renters From Cooking With Spices Isn’t Just Illegal, It’s Racist
Millie Roberts (No paywall)In a rural town south of Dubbo, an older couple hates seasoning. Not just in their own food, but in their properties — so much so that this landlord duo loom over their tenants’ kitchens like a culinary ghoul. “I added a clause in our lease that they are forbidden to cook with any spices that leave smells,” they wrote in a private Facebook group for like-minded individuals. “Me and hubby drive past at random during dinner time for a smell check just to make sure they are complying”. During these illegal drop-ins, they even claimed to go as far as to personally inspect pantries, rummaging for contraband cayenne, some cheeky turmeric, or god forbid, paprika. (Junkee)
# TUNSW in the media NSW, Discrimination, Privacy and access, Rent, Landlords and agents, Race and ethnicity.Home prices boom in three-quarters of top global cities during the pandemic: Juwai IQI report
Kate Burke Domain (No paywall)Australian house hunters dismayed by the country’s rapid price gains may want to spare a thought for their New Zealand counterparts, who are facing some of the steepest price hikes in the world.
https://www.domain.com.au/news/home-prices-boom-in-three-quarter…
# Australia, Coronavirus COVID-19, Housing market, International.