Last Friday we made our submission to the statutory review of two sections of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 that require mandatory eviction in social housing for a number of antisocial behaviours, and short eviction times for all social housing tenants.

Yesterday we submitted our thoughts in response to the NSW Productivity Commission discussion paper "Kickstarting the productivity conversation". We recommended a shift to land tax, for a more reliable property tax system that encourages better land use, and exploration of a different way to encourage meaningful supply with positive outcomes.

There's been a wave of sensible tenancy regulation lately, as legislators everywhere begin to realise that their various tenancy laws are badly out of whack with a modern society. Over several years, almost the entirety of Australia will have had a significant review of their tenancy laws. Despite the flourishing of improved tenancy policy, there are still some pretty shaky foundations.

You've found a new place to move to after getting a no grounds notice and you're pretty confident that you'll get your bond back on the current place. But you've been stung by unfounded claims from agents before and you're a bit short on cash since knocking back a couple of shifts to go to inspections. You can't hit up Mum and Dad again to spot you again so soon - and you saw advertisements for bond loans on a few of the ads. Are they a good idea?

Bronwyn Bate, Western Sydney University