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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Archive
Christie Lewis facing big damage repair bill because her rental home wasn't big enough for her wheelchair
Nick McAllister ABC (No paywall)Christie Lewis feels "really, really isolated" in her Perth rental home. Ms Lewis, who has a spinal injury, can't have her friends to visit because her home is largely inaccessible for wheelchairs. "I can't have any of my friends that have disabilities over because they can't use the toilet independently," she said. Which is a major barrier: the very home she rents fails to accommodate her needs. When Ms Lewis spent time in hospital for treatment, she was unable to be discharged because of a lack of suitable accommodation. "My discharge was delayed multiple months, wholly and solely based on the fact that my house was not accessible to me," she said. She ended up staying with a friend for six months, so that her current home could be made more accessible. But even now, it's far from ideal.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-22/disability-accessible-hou…
# Must read Australia, Discrimination, Rent.Should Australia recognise housing as a human right? Two crossbenchers are taking up the cause
Paul Karp The Guardian (No paywall)Should adequate housing be considered a human right? The Australian Human Rights Commission thinks so, including it in a list of rights that should receive legislative protection. That call for a Human Rights Act was backed in May by a parliamentary committee chaired by the Labor MP Josh Burns. Now the crossbench will take up the cause, with the independent senator David Pocock and the MP Kylea Tink set to introduce a private members’ bill in both chambers this week.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jun/24/s…
# Must read, Legal significance Australia, Rent.Concerns Australian migrants being left behind in green energy transition
Gavin Coote ABC (No paywall)Efforts are underway to ensure people from culturally diverse backgrounds aren't left behind as Australia races to reduce its carbon emissions. The nation's uptake of rooftop solar has been world-leading, but advocates are worried not everyone is finding it easy to access — and benefit from — renewable energy. Energy Consumers Australia senior policy associate Caroline Valente said cultural and language barriers had left many people feeling excluded. "The energy system in Australia is like a confusopoly, because it's intended to confuse everyone," Ms Valente said. "For migrants the energy industry jargon, unfamiliarity with Australian consumer rights and the system can actually make it really difficult for people to make choices for their household, their lifestyle, and that can help reduce their bills."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-24/migrants-left-behind-sola…
# Hot topic Australia, Discrimination, Rent, Utilities electricity water gas.Concerns Victoria's raised minimum rental standards will further squeeze rental market
Emile Pavlich and Lexie Jeuniewic ABC (No paywall)Victorian landlords could soon have to make significant changes to their properties under the state's new minimum rental standards, raising concerns it will put further pressure on an already tight market. The proposal, which is open for consultation, is mainly focused on improving energy efficiency of rental properties. It includes prescribing standards on ceiling insulation, draught proofing, hot water systems, cooling and heating. If agreed upon, the changes would be regulated from October 30 this year. It would come three years after minimum rental standards were first introduced by the state government.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-20/victorian-minimum-rental-…
# Hot topic Australia, Rent.Yvonne doesn't own her home. This housing alternative means she never worries about rent
Aleisha Orr SBS (No paywall)Yvonne Jenkins does not own the house she has lived in for the past 24 years, but she has not worried about her rent drastically increasing or being forced to move out at short notice. At a time when a shortage of homes is pushing up rents and home ownership is becoming out of reach for many people, in certain ways, she is cocooned from Australia's housing crisis. This is because she is part of a co-operative housing arrangement.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-affordable-housing-initi…
# Must read, Hot topic Australia, Rent.Facing a rent increase? Here are your options if you want to dispute it
Dannielle Maguire ABC (No paywall)If you're renting, you'll know that rental increases are a fact of life. But what options do you have when you think your landlord is asking for too steep a hike? Here's what you need to know about disputing a rent increase. What should I do if my landlord wants to bump up my rent? We spoke to Joel Dignam, the executive director of Better Renting, an advocacy group for tenants. "The first step is to check that the rent increase meets the basic legal requirements," Mr Dignam says. "Is there the correct notice period, is notice given in the right way? "The specific requirements will depend on where you live, so it can be worthwhile checking with your local tenants advice service to be sure.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-22/rental-increase-rules-hou…
# Must read Australia, Rent.New legislation will make it harder for landlords to say no to pets in Tasmania, but there will be grounds for refusal
ABC (No paywall)The Liberals will table legislation this week to change the Residential Tenancy Act to allow pets in rentals in Tasmania. Former president of Real Estate Institute of Australia, Adrian Kelly, says there is no protection for property owners. But the Tenants Union of Tasmania's principal lawyer, Ben Bartl, argues there will be situations where landlords can refuse pets.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/hobart-mornings/tasmanian…
# Hot topic, Audio Australia, Rent.Aussies reveal major downside to working-from-home amid cost-of-living crisis
Jessica Wang news.com.au (No paywall)Aussie employees working from home have been left shivering at their desks this winter thanks to high heating costs. Last week Australia’s east cost was hit with freezing temperatures, as the mercury dropped to a chilly 1.6C in Melbourne and 7C in Sydney. Workers were left wrapping up in their winter woolies as they prepared to work from home. Many Aussies complained about working-from-home in frigid indoor temperatures, with cost-of-living pressures causing people to think twice about turning on their heaters and air conditioners.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/employees-workingfr…
# Must read, TUNSW in the media Australia, Utilities electricity water gas.