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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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See notes about the Digest and a list of other contributors here. Many thanks to those contributors for sharing links with us.
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Archive
How turning the heat off this winter could damage your health
Linda Geddes and Nicole Davis The Guardian (No paywall)Keeping the heating turned off is one surefire way of reducing gas and electricity bills this winter, but it could come at the expense of people’s health – particularly those with heart and lung conditions.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/01/how-turning-the-…
# International, Utilities electricity water gas, Health.'It’s a total disaster!’ How soaring rents, cutthroat competition and unscrupulous landlords are breaking tenants
Elle Hunt The Guardian (No paywall)A shortage of housing and a rise in demand have driven up prices – and not just in London. The Office for National Statistics says that rents increased by 3.2% across the UK in the past year, the fastest rate since the financial crisis. ... [Generation Rent] is calling on the government to freeze rents for existing tenancies, immediately suspend no-fault evictions (soon to be banned under the renters reform bill) and introduce protections for tenants who fall behind on rent for reasons beyond their control.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/sep/01/its-a-total-disast…
# International, Rent, Housing affordability, Housing market, No-grounds evictions.Home owners brace for Tuesday and another interest rate hike
The New Daily (No paywall)The Reserve Bank of Australia’s September cash rate decision will dominate the week’s economic news alongside economic growth figures due midweek. On Tuesday, mortgage holders will be eyeing the official cash rate decision nervously, with another hike broadly expected. Most economists and analysts – 23 out of the 36 questioned by Finder – predict a 50 basis point hike. This will take the cash rate to 2.35 per cent. However, the bulk of experts – 25 out of 36 – also expect the September hike to be followed by a hold in October.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2022/09/04/interest-…
# Australia, Home ownership, Housing market.Rent crisis? Average rents are increasing less than you might think
Ben Phillips The Conversation (No paywall)You wouldn’t know it from the pages of our daily newspapers, but the rate of growth in rents has been pretty modest. Not everywhere, not for everyone, but for most Australians who rent. According to the most recent count used by the Bureau of Statistics to compile the consumer price index, rents increased by only 1.6% in the year to June. By comparison, wages climbed 2.6%.
https://theconversation.com/rent-crisis-average-rents-are-increa…
# Australia, Rent, Housing market.How much have property prices risen over the past 30 years?
Kate Burke Domain (No paywall)Australia’s property market has recorded phenomenal growth over the past three decades, but new figures dispel the myth that prices always double every 10 years.
https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/how-much-have-property-pric…
# Australia, Housing market.Draught-proofing, double glazing, curtains: Ways to make your home more energy efficient and save money
Iskhandar Razak ABC (No paywall)Emma Lynas felt "lucky" and "excited" when she and her partner bought in North Melbourne, but now feels deflated. "It's just frustrating," she said. "We scored 1.6 stars out of 10. That's bad." With that low rating in mind, Ms Lynas borrowed more than she needed for environmental renovations. But the mother of one was shocked by the prices. ... [But Sustainability Victoria chief executive] said there were options for renters and owners of all budgets.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-01/making-victorian-homes-en…
# Australia, Utilities electricity water gas, Climate change, Home.New Adelaide housing will help people with mental health issues move out of hospital
Charles Brice ABC (No paywall)New accommodation units will be built in northern Adelaide in an effort to reduce the amount of people with mental health issues who remain in hospital due to a lack of appropriate housing in the community. The South Australian government will invest $5 million to construct 16 units in Clearview, which will be operated by Mind Australia. The housing will provide long-term options for those who have a psychological disability, have a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) package and are in need of supported housing.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-03/new-adelaide-housing-for-…
# Australia, Public and community housing, Disability.What regional builders are facing after a stack of big city construction company liquidations
Owen Jacques ABC (No paywall)When Oracle Homes crashed into liquidation last week, Queenslanders building homes across the state watched on and wondered if their dream homes could also be left in limbo. But while Oracle has operated almost entirely across Greater Brisbane, experts say the pressure facing builders across regional Queensland is the same and so are the risks.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-01/regional-builders-constru…
# Australia, Housing market.