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Welcome to our blog. Tenants' Union staff and occasional guests offer commentary and analysis of our renting system. We hope to inform, educate and debate the legal, political and cultural aspects of this renting life. For an official quote for media use, or questions regarding our research, policy or publications please contact us. For more articles see news, reports and the Brown Couch archive. For factsheets see tenancy info.

 

Leo Patterson Ross |

A closer look at Rent Assistance increases

The Federal Budget's most notable announcement for renters was an increase in rent assistance, but a closer look reveals it may not be as generous as it seems. Starting in September, the…
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Jack Moon |

What does mortgages data tell us about the impact of rental reform on investment?

Whenever reforms to introduce regulations and strengthen rights for renters are proposed, it’s not long before articles appear quoting property developers, investment groups, and real estate…
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Zuzia Buszewicz |

Brave renewal world for social housing in NSW

After a decade of practices involving selling off publicly owned properties to finance maintenance of the remaining stock, this significant increase in investment and shift in how government…
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Jemima Mowbray |

NSW is ending 'no grounds' evictions: what does it mean for renters?

The recent announcement by the NSW Government that they are moving ahead with promised eviction reforms is welcome news. For renters, and those who campaign for housing justice, this is long…
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Paula-Rose Bassett |

NCAT Aboriginal Tenancy List

In September 2023, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) introduced a fortnightly Aboriginal Tenancy List in its Consumer and Commercial Division. The List is available for tenants…
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Jemima Mowbray |

Where are we at with ending ‘no grounds’ evictions? An update

In this short blog update we share recent news on the rental reform front - Jenny Leong, Housing Spokesperson for the NSW Greens' private member bill to ban "no-grounds" evictions…
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Zuzia Buszewicz |

Time to end the trauma of no grounds evictions

Renters asked to leave their home for no reason tell us the impact of these evictions is severe. Responses from renter to our our recent survey make it clear that having the rug of relative…
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Olivia Nielsen-Gurung |

Roaches in your rental – to leave or not to leave

No-one should have to live with roaches! They are gross. But hating roaches and the existence of roaches in the property might not be a good enough legal reason to end a tenancy without having…
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Zuzia Buszewicz |

Housing Australia, the Accord and other ways the government wants to boost supply of housing.

Re-joining the Tenants’ Union allowed me to jump back into the details of the ongoing housing and rental crisis in Australia and NSW and investigate the mechanisms recently put in place by the…
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Jemima Mowbray |

New Year, New NSW Renting Laws Resolutions: A three-point kickstart plan for better renting in 2024!

It's that time again, when we all make resolutions. If NSW renting laws are looking at making some changes (and they should!) here are three key priorities that should be at the top of…
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Leo Patterson Ross |

Rents and migration – what does the data tell us?

There has been a resurgence in the last couple of weeks, amplified by the Federal government, that pulling back migration numbers will lead to some easing of pressure on our renting system. We…
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Leo Patterson Ross |

The season for empathy – for renters too

Over the last week, the annual tradition of a real estate agent sending out an email warning their renters not to fall behind in rent over Chistmas was continued, this time by an agency in VIC.…
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