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Tenants' Union news

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Mould and renting - share your experience!

Thu, 05/07/2018 - 14:22
Stylised text reads: Have you rented with mould? please take our survey
Tenants often report to us their experiences with mould and other infestations and the difficulties they have getting it resolved. We are collecting stories from tenants for submissions to a Federal Parliament inquiry.
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Survey for Aboriginal Renters

Mon, 02/07/2018 - 15:53
Ngurampaa by Millmullian
The Tenants Union of NSW and the Aboriginal Tenancy Services are currently working on an Aboriginal Renting Policy Platform. This document will be used to strengthen the voices of Aboriginal people who rent regardless of who your landlord may be. We want to gather as many views from Aboriginal people as possible. If you an Aboriginal person who rents, please take a few minutes to complete the survey here.
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Tenant Advocates speak out against unfair evictions

Thu, 28/06/2018 - 17:33
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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A longer lease on life: issues for older renters

Thu, 21/06/2018 - 15:16
Older people faces
With a surplus of $3.9 billion for 2016-17, the 2018 NSW State Budget had its winners and losers. The latter include seniors and renters. This blog examine some of the issues confronting older renters.
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Research: Energy efficiency in NSW social housing

Wed, 13/06/2018 - 11:00
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

Tue, 05/06/2018 - 15:00
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

Sun, 03/06/2018 - 21:42
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

Thu, 24/05/2018 - 10:47
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

Thu, 10/05/2018 - 14:28
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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Power to the people – at a reasonable price

Thu, 19/04/2018 - 23:10
Electricity
With the commencement of the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 (the Act) the method of calculating consumption charges for electricity, gas and water changed. The Tenants’ Union has highlighted the change through articles and a report. We have also held discussions with home owners, Tenant Advocates, the NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman (EWON) and NSW Fair Trading to explain that operators should not and cannot charge more than they are charged by their utility providers. Read more in this issue of Outasite Lite.
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