Published in City News, 4 January 2017

Despite predictions earlier last year that house prices would drop making the rental market more tenant friendly, renters continue to face uncertainty surrounding their leases.

Greens MP and Spokesperson for rental issues, Jenny Leong, wants to end ‘no grounds evictions.’ Under current laws, landlords can kick out renters without providing a reason. Ms Leong is campaigning for critical reforms to ensure this is stopped.

Published in The Conversation, 22 December 2016

This year Australians have been shocked by evidence about the risks to children in some out-of-home care settings.

We also learned that women and children comprise a large proportion of Australia’s homeless population. What we know far less about is how some of Australia’s most vulnerable children fare in what our analysis shows is the fastest-growing part of our mainstream housing system: private rental.

Published at The Conversation, 12 December 2016

The average housing costs of older (65-plus) outright homeowners in lone-person households were A$38 a week in 2013-14, the Australian Bureau of Statistics calculated, compared to $103 for older social housing tenants and $232 for older private renters.

Fortunately, over the last several decades almost all Australians who depend on the age pension for their income have been outright homeowners, and their housing costs have thus usually represented a small proportion of their pension. However, this situation is changing and the significance of this is profound.

Published at ABC 702 online, 25 October 2016

Eight years ago, Barbara Squires was in a financial dilemma. Her marriage had broken down and she was struggling to keep up with the large mortgage repayments on her Redfern terrace with a single income.

Her solution was to return to her university days of share houses, but this time with someone far younger than her.

Ms Squires, who was 60 at the time, invited 23-year-old Iranian student Niloufar Imanriad to share her home.

Published in SMH Domain, 23 October 2016

When Ankita Mohan decided to move from Wollongong and closer to her work in Sydney, she thought it would be a simple process to get a rental property. It wasn’t.

She applied for several apartments, with a friend, in Lane Cove and Ryde – each rented out at $400 to $500 a week, which she said was manageable on their joint $3300 a fortnight income. They were both under 20 and looking for their first rental home.

But instead of just filling out the usual application form to prove she had a secure job and a steady stream of income, she claims several property managers demanded proof of extra finances. 

Published at news.com.au, 5 October 2016

Shifting housing trends mean Australia’s lagging tenancy laws undermine renters

But as more and more people are living in rental accommodation — and living there for longer — Australia’s tenancy laws have not adapted, leaving tenants under-represented and without security they can keep a roof over their head.

Tenancy unions are now demanding the laws adapt to shifting trends, and get up to speed with the rest of the world.

Published in the SMH, 3 October 2016

On what basis should a landlord or a real estate agent be allowed to evict a tenant?

Currently, they are not required to give a reason; the NSW Residential Tenancies Act allows tenants to be evicted on a "no grounds" basis.

But with predictions that half the population of NSW could soon be renting, tenancy advocates are increasingly arguing that new mechanisms should be established to give tenants the confidence and security to make demands on their landlords and agents.

Earlier this year the NSW Government received 210 public submissions in response to a discussion paper asking how our rental laws could be better.

Renters and tenant advocates raised concerns around security, maintenance, housing standards and rent increases. Suggestions were offered to improve long-term stability and to allow renters to put down roots and treat their house like a home.

Published in SMH Domain, 13 August 2016

There are two major problems with tenants. Firstly, we treat them with contempt and disdain and then wonder why some of them – a tiny minority – behave badly.

Then we keep telling them that they have failed in life if they don’t own a house. I use the word “house” advisedly because our politicians still think that renting a unit is double jeopardy.

You rent? A unit? Surely leasing a great apartment in a terrific area is just a stepping stone to owning a crappy bungalow in a virtual war zone.

So where does that leave the more than 50 per cent of apartment residents who are tenants?

Getting very little love from either landlords or politicians, is where.

Published in the SMH, 22 July 2016

The astounding finding that home-owning adults will soon be in the minority marks an important tipping point and demands a change to prevailing attitudes about renters and landlords.

Lower home ownership is not itself a cause for concern. Many countries, Germany being the best example, combine high living standards, vibrant economies and a low home ownership rate.

Housing should satisfy a basic human need for shelter and security. It should suit the needs of each individual. Whether that is achieved by owning, or renting, should not matter.

Renters deserve the same sense of "ontological security" as home owners: the security and peace of mind that a home brings and a sense of belonging to a certain place and community.