Tenant Advocates speak out against unfair evictions

Following the NSW government’s recent decision not to abolish ‘no grounds’ evictions as part of upcoming rental reforms, Nicole Kennedy (Tenancy Coordinator at Inner Sydney Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service at Redfern Legal Centre) spoke to Eastside Radio 89.7 FM about how these laws impact tenants.

The decision affects all tenants in NSW, with ‘no grounds’ or retaliatory evictions significantly undermining renters’ rights.

Nicole explained that a ‘no grounds’ notice essentially gives landlords the ability to terminate any tenancy on a week-to-week, periodic lease, with 90 days notice without giving a reason.

This creates an atmosphere of fear, where tenants are afraid to request basic repairs or challenge unreasonable rent increases that are well within their rights.

“The lack of security around that for a tenant is quite poor, especially in a society that is increasingly becoming more and more tenant-based rather than owner-occupier based,” Nicole said.

The Inner Sydney TAAS at Redfern Legal Centre has long advocated for ending evictions without reason, and Nicole also encouraged everyone seeking to ensure security of their tenancy to talk to their local Member of Parliament.

Listen to Nicole’s interview here

Unfair evictions hurt us all – learn more about the campaign to Make Renting Fair