ABOUT

Tenants' Union news

Also check out our blogTenant News archivemedia appearances, and Housing News Digest.
For factsheets and sample letters, please see Tenancy info.


 

Sarah's renting story

Mon, 04/04/2022 - 12:45
#MyRentedHome should be secure and stable
Sarah* is a NSW renter who was evicted in 2021 during the pandemic. She was evicted into homelessness, and struggled for several months to find a home. Here is some of her story.
Read more

Catherine's renting story

Thu, 31/03/2022 - 14:56
Catherine with her dog and her son
Catherine* has been a life-long renter who has moved 32 times - the first 30 of which were in the first 25 years of her life. During the #MakeRentingFair #MyRentedHome social media week of action we share her story to highlight both home important rented homes are for the people who live in them, and the lack of security renters face and the impact that can have on our lives.
Read more

Greer's renting story

Thu, 31/03/2022 - 14:23
Greer and her child
Greer is a regional NSW renter who has shared her renting story with us. We share Greer's story during #MakeRentingFair #MyRentedHome social media week of action to highlight some of the problems with the NSW renting system, and the need for decision-makers to understand the importance of supporting renters' access to stable, affordable, secure homes. 
Read more

Vulnerable tenancies a growing issue despite COVID recovery

Tue, 22/03/2022 - 10:50
A woman, man and child, looking stressed, surrounded by moving boxes
Many vulnerable tenants were in crisis well before the pandemic and will continue to face personal crises into the future. A crisis should not have to make the world stage before our most vulnerable people have safeguards implemented.
Read more

#MyRentedHome #MakeRentingFair social media week of action

Thu, 17/03/2022 - 09:54
#MyRentedHome #MakeRentingFair
We’re inviting all NSW renters to join the #MakeRentingFair #MyRentedHome social media week of action, in the week of Monday 4 April to Saturday 9 April. You are invited to share a photo on your favourite social media platform of something from your rented home, positive or negative, explaining what home means to you and what you want decision-makers to know about your rented home.
Read more

Legal help for flood-affected communities

Wed, 02/03/2022 - 09:26
rain cloud
Our thoughts go out to the people, families and communities impacted by the flooding, storms, and dangerous rainfall across the state. Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services and Community Legal Centres are here to help.
Read more

Beyond eviction: alternative approaches to respond to NSW renting households in crisis

Mon, 28/02/2022 - 11:02
apartments with a for lease sign
As we emerge from 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have the opportunity to evaluate and learn from our experiences during the health crisis and build a fairer NSW renting system that is better equipped to support people through crisis. This blog explores the need for a permanent hardship framework to be built into our tenancy laws.
Read more

Wills and probate in land lease communities – Appeal Panel settles disputes

Wed, 23/02/2022 - 13:32
A home at surfrider caravan park
In a recent decision of the Appeal Panel the question of whether a home can be sold without a grant of probate has been answered. Probate is the name of a court order granted by the Supreme Court of NSW. Being granted probate confirms that the will is valid and the named executor (legal personal representative) has permission to distribute the estate of the deceased according to the provisions in the will.
Read more

Disclosure in land lease communities – Tribunal clarifies duty

Wed, 23/02/2022 - 12:54
Lennox Head, NSW
The obligation on an operator to provide a disclosure statement in the approved form before entering into a site agreement is straightforward. The purpose of the obligation is also clear – to enable a prospective purchaser to make an informed choice about the community. Given the clarity of obligation and purpose, it is difficult to understand why disclosure is becoming a major source of dispute. Perhaps a recent Tribunal case involving Hometown Australia will provide some answers.
Read more

The true cost of eviction

Tue, 22/02/2022 - 07:22
The cost of eviction, image of apartment block and letterbox with 'for lease' sign out front.
Our recent special report, Eviction, Hardship and the Housing Crisis, looks closely at the immediate and direct costs of moving. This blog explores the true costs of eviction, and asks what we can do to better discourage its unnecessary and disproportionate use.
Read more