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Tenants' Union news

Also check out our blog, Tenant News archive, media appearances, and Housing News Digest.
For factsheets and sample letters, please see Tenancy info.

 

Easy Read factsheets now available

Easy Read cover showing three people with arms raised
The Tenants’ Union is happy to announce that we have five new factsheets available in Easy Read. Easy Read is a way to present information for people with low literacy or learning disability.
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Supporting vulnerable tenants during a crisis 

Two people talking at a table
When the pandemic first hit Australia, COVID-19 did not discriminate, and we saw people of all walks of life impacted. The same now goes for the rising cost of living. It too does not discriminate, and we are all feeling the pinch.
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Join our board!

Tenants' Union logo
Join our board! The Tenants' Union is seeking expressions of interest from people who are passionate about our work supporting renters across the state.
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Landlords hiking rents: what can we do?

Rent Increase Negotiation Kit graphic with money and a mobile phone
Over the past year we have seen rents in NSW – and across Australia – increasing at a significant rate and by a significant amount. In this blog we look at what renters can do, including looking at the resources the Tenants' Union provides to help renters negotiate or challenge an excessive rent increase (spotlight on our new Rent Increase Negotiation Kit!). We also consider some broader solutions (the law reform needed) to help address skyrocketing rents.
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Embedded networks leaving renters disadvantaged

Close up of rusty mushroom electricity infrastructure in Residential Land Lease Communities
If you have never lived in an embedded network then many of you might be asking what this is and what does it have to do with renters? It's no surprise to the Tenants Union of NSW that a lot of people do not know about embedded networks. Often renters don't find out they are living in a home that is part of an embedded network until they move in. In this blog, Eloise runs through some of the key concerns and problems encountered by renters who receive their electricity through an embedded network.
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Pod off the press – Renting Bytes

Key and podcast wave
The Tenants’ Union plunged into the world of podcasting roughly 12 months ago. Alongside co-producers Legal Aid NSW we planned and launched 'Renting Matters', a podcast series aimed for community workers. 'Renting Matters' quickly became one of the most popular podcasts produced by Legal Aid. Now, as we wind up that series and publish our brand-new in-house podcast for renters, 'Renting Bytes', we take a moment to reflect on podcasting.
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Homelessness among older people aged 55 in NSW: TUNSW provides evidence to NSW Parliament

Sabina, Thomas and Leo panel at Inquiry into Homelessness Older Persons at NSW Parliament
The Tenants' Union of NSW spoke on 18 July on a panel alongside the Homeless Persons' Legal Service, Public Interest Advocacy Centre and Seniors Rights Service at the public hearing for the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness amongst older people aged over 55 in New South Wales called by the Standing Committee on Social Issues. We publish the opening statement from Leo Patterson Ross, CEO of the Tenants' Union of NSW highlighting some of the key recommendations the Tenants' Union of NSW made to the Committee.
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Healthy Housing: Mould Survey

a picture of a corner of a room with wooden floorboard and significant green mould
We encourage everyone, with or without mould currently in their home, to complete this survey from the Healthy Housing Centre for Research Excellence.
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Census 2021: Renters are the fastest growing tenure in Australia.

a person completing a paper census form on a kitchen table
Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its first round of data from last year's Census (2021). This is the key population data collected on Census night, though some really interesting data on mobility and tenure will be released with other 'additional location variables and employment data' due out in October. We'll be looking at the 2021 Census data and sharing the insights as we make our way through it. In this blog, we get us started with a few headline results about renting in NSW.   
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Everyone deserves a healthy home: Climate disruption and rental homes in NSW

graphic with houses, flood and desert
Climate change is not new. Scientists have been monitoring the effects of increased carbon in our atmosphere, and the reduction of greenhouse gases has been a well publicised global issue since at least the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. We are now living through climate disruption. Not every day will be hotter or every year a drought. But it will impact on our lives. And the houses we reside in are a major factor in ensuring a healthy and comfortable life. In this blog, Rita Wilkinson, looks at the challenges renters race in this context to stay comfortable and healthy in their homes.
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