Published by the Illawarra Mercury, 2nd October 2017

The Greens are calling for greater housing security and fairer rental laws to assist “Generation rent” in areas such as Wollongong. 

The Greens say when the Residential Tenancies Act is reviewed by the NSW Parliament later this year, they will be moving amendments to end “unfair” no-grounds evictions, put a cap on rent increases, allow people who rent to have pets and ensure that additional provisions are in place to support people fleeing domestic violence.

Jenny Leong, a Member of the NSW Parliament and the Greens spokesperson on Housing, Rental and Tenancy said renters have become a mainstream group in our society.

However, she said “our laws have not kept pace with this societal shift, and renters do not have the same basic rights as everyone else”.

Ms Leong said Wollongong has one of the highest density of renters in NSW, outside of inner city Sydney.

For example, she said nearly 64 per cent of households (occupied private dwellings) in North Wollongong are renting- almost twice the number of people there who own their own homes. 

“People who are renting live with the stress of unlimited rent increases with very little warning, and with the fear of eviction hanging over their heads,” Ms Leong said. 

“Renting is no longer a short-term transitional form of housing - many people are now facing a life of renting, and need to have the same sort of security as everyone else. 

“The Residential Tenancies Act is due for review... And it is an opportunity to give people who are renting the security they need to put down roots in their community.”

Ms Leong said there is a growing community support to end “unfair” no-grounds evictions through the ‘Make Renting Fair’ campaign.