Greer's renting story

This week is our #MakeRentingFair #MyRentedHome social media week of action. We're asking our community of renters: what does your rented home mean to you? For more information and instructions on how to participate in the #MyRentedHome week of action, click here.

If you're not a renter yourself, you can join the action by sharing and amplifying other renters' stories - here's one you can share now.

Greer's renting story

Greer had been living in her Port Macquarie home with her 9-year-old daughter for three years when she received a ‘no grounds’ eviction notice during the 2021 NSW COVID-19 lockdown, following her requests for repairs to be carried out.

Greer’s home had needed many repairs over the years. There were often leaks, leading to mould and damp. This made Greer extremely concerned for the health of her child’s lungs, as well as her own. At one point, ceiling leakage in the bedroom led to a partial ceiling collapse. This was not fixed for many weeks. Greer also requested repairs to fix up the security of the property. Her daughter’s bedroom window faced a main road and was constructed so that it was very easy for someone from the outside to open the window and enter the child’s room. The front door similarly had easily breakable glass panels. No security repairs were completed.

A few weeks prior to the termination notice, Greer spoke to the Tribunal about the constant leaks and unfinished repairs. She was advised to write a formal email to the real estate agent informing them of the landlord’s obligation to carry out the repairs. It was the day following this email that Greer received the ‘no grounds’ termination notice.

In my head, I felt like I probably did this to myself by writing such an abrasive email. But at the end of the day, everyone knows I'm correct. Now I’m worried about getting a bad review, being listed on a bad tenant database. And I’m worried they will keep trying to find things to pin on me, so that they can keep my bond money, too. Really, if they’re not going to bother doing all the repairs, then they shouldn’t be a landlord!

I’ve been looking for places but I can’t afford the rent, I can’t find anywhere under $350. I can hardly afford to pay $260 let alone $350-plus. My needs are quite specific, I have to be close to my daughter’s school, and I can’t live in a place with stairs because of my disabilities. I have until mid-December [2021] to get out and I’m just hoping the local Community Housing Provider will make a miracle happen and find me a spot.

Greer managed to secure a new rental home, but she had to move away from Port Macquarie to find a place that met her needs and that she could afford.