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
Calgarian petitioning for rule change around pets in rental housing
Adam MacVicar Global News (No paywall)Calgary dog owner is looking to spark change to rules around pets in rental properties as many across the city face challenges finding a place to live. Pierre Noiseux has been looking for a new place to live for six months, but finds his applications are turned down when landlords find out about his two-year-old dog Stark. “He’s a pitbull mix, so trying to find a rental is impossible,” Noiseux told Global News. “You send a picture of your pet and they take one look and are like, ‘No thank you.'”
https://globalnews.ca/news/10465916/calgarian-petition-pets-rent…
# Must read International, Discrimination, Rent.B.C.’s new short-term rental restrictions now in effect
Simon Little Global News (No paywall)British Columbia’s new restrictions on short-term rentals are now in effect. The regulations, which took effect on Wednesday, May 1, are aimed at moving thousands of units listed through services like Airbnb and VRBO from the short-term market to the traditional rental pool. The rules apply to cities of 10,000 or more and to municipalities that voluntarily opt in. Under the regulations, hosts can only rent out their primary residence or one secondary suite or laneway home. Local governments can apply their bylaws if they are equally or more restrictive than those of the province.
https://globalnews.ca/news/10462780/bc-short-term-rental-restric…
# Hot topic International, .Temporary residents in overcrowded spaces, paying more for less amid Sydney's rental crisis, experts say
Sean Tarek Goodwin ABC (No paywall)For Belgian university student William Vanneste, a three-month-long internship in Sydney seemed like the perfect way to round off his studies. But, like many temporary students and workers, finding an affordable place to stay was harder than he expected. "For people staying for only one month, two months, I think it's very difficult. Most of them are still in hostels," the 22-year-old said. After staying in a hostel, he moved into a furnished two-bedroom apartment on Sydney's lower north shore which he rented with a pair of other short-term residents from France.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-07/sydney-tough-rental-marke…
# Must read NSW, Rent, Share houses.Do-it-yourself renovating a growing trend as union seeks better protection for renters
Grace Atta ABC (No paywall)As Australia's tradie shortage and housing crisis continues, there are growing concerns about a lack of policing for do-it-yourself (DIY) renovation and repair work for rental properties. The rise of shoddy repair and renovation works in rental properties has been dubbed the "landlord special" on tenant rights' internet forums. Broken Hill Real estate agent Zeta Bennett says regional areas like her own in Far West NSW are becoming increasingly popular for buyers looking for a "fixer-upper" due to market affordability. She says that while many who renovate their properties with the aim of selling or renting them do it well, and often have a background as tradespeople, not everyone is doing things by the book.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-02/diy-renovating-trend-tena…
# Must read, TUNSW in the media Australia, Rent, Repairs.From housing to homes: NSW housing expert calls for radical rethink to deliver family-friendly apartments
James Martin Institute for Public Policy (No paywall)With mounting housing and cost-of-living pressures across Australia, families in apartments are largely being overlooked by existing urban planning and property development policies, which is further exacerbating the lack of suitable and affordable homes in New South Wales. This is according to a new report released today by the James Martin Institute for Public Policy. Planning for the inclusion of families with children in apartments by Dr Sophie-May Kerr identifies opportunities for policy reform to better cater to the needs of families raising children in apartments across New South Wales (NSW). Dr Kerr, Research Associate at the UNSW City Futures Research Centre and a JMI Policy Fellow, argues that Australian apartments need to better meet the needs and preferences of families with children.
https://jmi.org.au/news/from-housing-to-homes-nsw-housing-expert…
# Hot topic NSW, .Housing density has surged across Australia's cities, yet home prices keep hitting fresh records
Michael Janda ABC (No paywall)It's the number one issue around Australia, particularly in our biggest cities, groaning under record population growth — finding somewhere affordable to live. Whether it's renting or buying, it has never been more expensive (at least in nominal terms) to find somewhere to call home across most of the nation. After decades of policies mainly directed at giving out public money to allow people to pay even more — think first home buyer grants and rent assistance — attention is finally turning to other solutions. The new fad is YIMBYism — the "yes in my backyard" counter to those NIMBYs who want to freeze the heart of cities at an arbitrary point in time.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-28/housing-density-surging-i…
# NSW, Rent.A $400 room the size of a walk-in closet: short-term renters left vulnerable as NSW housing crisis bites
Luca Ittimani The Guardian (No paywall)For American visitors Olivia and Molly, a cosy Randwick apartment seemed the perfect place to experience Australia. But the college friends – who asked not to use their full names – say they found themselves paying $400 a week each for cramped rooms with few amenities, thanks to a lack of affordable short-term accommodation in Sydney. “We really were restricted to this three months or so period here, putting us in a super awkward position, desperate for housing,” Molly said.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/may/09/n…
# Hot topic NSW, Rent, Share houses.Lehrmann faces legal action from ex-landlord over Sydney northern beaches pad
Michael Whitbourn and Kate McClymont The Sydney Morning Herald (Soft Paywall)Fresh from his defamation defeat, Bruce Lehrmann is facing legal action over the northern beaches pad he lived in rent-free under a deal with the Seven Network. Lady Gaenor Meakes, the owner of the Balgowlah property where the former federal Liberal staffer lived until recently, is pursuing Lehrmann in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The matter is listed for a conciliation hearing on May 23 in Sydney. Lehrmann, who lost a multimillion-dollar defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson last month, had his rent at the luxury property covered by Seven.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/lehrmann-faces-legal-action-…
# Hot topic NSW, .