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
What the world can learn from Uruguay as the global housing crisis deepens
Jennifer Duyne Barenstein and Daniela Sanjinés The Conversation (No paywall)More than 1.8 billion people lack access to adequate and affordable housing. Yet too few countries have taken meaningful steps to ensure dignified housing for their most vulnerable citizens. We research how cooperative housing can serve as one solution to the affordable housing crisis. There are a variety of cooperative housing models. But they generally involve residents collectively owning and managing their apartment complexes, sharing responsibilities, costs and decision-making through a democratic process. Some countries have embraced cooperatives. In Zurich, Switzerland, almost one-fifth of the city’s total housing stock is cooperative housing.
https://theconversation.com/what-the-world-can-learn-from-urugua…
# International, Public and community housing, Rent.Can you afford to live here? Europe’s cities ranked by rent-to-salary ratio
Servet Yanatma Yahoo News (No paywall)Housing takes up a large part of household budgets, and this share is growing across Europe, according to Eurostat. High rent prices in city centres add extra pressure, especially for low-income earners and those on minimum wage. In some European countries and cities, rent can consume nearly an entire salary. In fact, in certain places, average net salaries are not enough to cover the rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, according to Deutsche Bank Research Institute.
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/afford-live-europe-cities-rank…
# Hot topic International, Rent.Rental deposit scheme in UK ‘puts millions in the pockets of landlords’
Jessica Murray The Guardian (No paywall)The official deposit scheme for renters is “putting millions in unscrupulous landlords’ pockets”, campaigners have said. Almost half (46%) of renters said they did not know they could challenge deposit deductions they deemed to be unfair. Only 4% have used the formal dispute resolution process to try to reclaim the money. Dan Wilson Craw of Generation Rent, the campaign group which conducted the research, said the system was “failing renters who are put off from challenging unfair deductions by unclear rules, and threats and delaying tactics from landlords”.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/20/rental-deposit-s…
# Hot topic International, Bond.The rise of the YIMBY movement
ABC (No paywall)Have you heard of the YIMBY movement? It stands for "Yes, In My Backyard", a counter to anti-development movements. But what role can YIMBYs play in solving Australia's housing crisis?
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/the-rise-of-t…
# Audio Australia, .GOOD CAUSE EVICTION POLICIES DON’T HAMPER CONSTRUCTION, NEW RESEARCH SHOWS. LEGISLATORS ARE STILL CONCERNED.
Aaron Fernando Shelter Force (No paywall)In its most broad definition—though states and localities include their own exemptions and criteria—good cause eviction policies guarantee ongoing lease renewal to tenants from their landlords, unless tenants have violated the terms of their leases or behaved unlawfully. A number of states and localities have active good cause legislation. New Jersey, for example, has had a policy on the books since 1974. Other states have passed policies more recently, like California’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019. Last year, New York State passed a version of good cause. The law was mandatory in New York City, but other municipalities could opt in (with some tailoring available).
https://shelterforce.org/2025/06/06/good-cause-eviction-policies…
# Hot topic International, Eviction.Home batteries for renters? A solution could be coming soon
Mike Foley and Nick Toscano The Sydney Morning Herald (No paywall)More than 4 million people who live in rented accommodation have been missing out on the renewable revolution – until now. Some of the country’s biggest electricity companies have signalled plans for free household batteries that could slash power bills. Federal government rebates that wipe 30 per cent off the cost of buying and installing home batteries have been wildly popular since they started in July, driving a 400 per cent spike in sales. But there is little incentive for renters to spend $10,000 or more to install a battery, coupled with solar panels, on a home they do not own, or for landlords to pay for the device to subsidise power bills they do not pay.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/home-batteries-for-rente…
# Australia, Rent.Exposing The $5,000,000,000 Rental Scam
ADU (No paywall)More and more people are becoming renters, as housing increasingly becomes out of reach. But how does the renting system specifically work? What happens when you submit a bond? Who holds that bond? Governments across the country hold culmatively $5 billion in tenants bonds. This is used to generate income via interest and investment. However, this revenue isn't being appropriately distributed in a way which properly ensures that tenants get a fair go in the renting system. Leo Patterson Ross, the CEO of the Tenants Union NSW, explains how it all works, explains the problems, and gives some potential solutions and ways forward.
# TUNSW in the media, Video Australia, Bond.Chalmers urged to overhaul CGT discount on housing
Ronald Mizen and Paul Karp Australian Financial Review (Paywall)Rank-and-file Labor members are urging Treasurer Jim Chalmers to curtail the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount on housing, arguing it would push money into more productive areas of the economy and open up fresh supply for first home buyers. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday also backed taking a fresh look at tax breaks that “disadvantaged” first home buyers, saying he would “encourage” the Albanese government to look at CGT as part of the “big conversation on productivity and taxes” currently taking place.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/chalmers-urged-to-overhaul-…
# Australia, .