Greens NSW Housing Spokesperson Jenny Leong MP has committed to stand up for the one third of people in NSW who rent and work to put an end to mass eviction threats by billionaire developers like Harry Triguboff.
"People are already living with such fear and insecurity as a result of the current rental housing crisis - it's not just arrogant it's shockingly irresponsible for anyone to threaten mass evictions as Mr Triguboff has done."
"The fact that a threat like this could be legally carried out shows that billionaire developers like Triguboff have way too much power and control over people's homes, and by extension their lives.
"That's why I will be writing to parliamentary counsel to request they draft legislation to limit the control of greedy developers to hold people who rent and the government to ransom when it comes to protecting renters rights.
“With over a third of people in NSW living in rental homes, the government must reign in this investor driven housing insecurity.”
“Triguboff’s ability to cause a mass eviction crisis across his property portfolio shows exactly why any move toward build to rent has to be coupled with serious reform that gives renters more security.”
“One of the richest people in Australia’s is throwing a temper tantrum that will cause thousands of families to feel anxious about their housing security in the lead up to Christmas.
"Gladys Berejiklian needs to answer the question: will you let a billionaire property magnate dictate your housing policy?"
BACKGROUND
- The Sydney Morning Herald has reported a threat by Meriton’s Harry Triguboff not to renew any leases across his thousands strong property portfolio: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/meriton-warns-action-on-renters-rights-could-spark-construction-strike-20171101-gzcx3p.html
- A review of the NSW Residential Tenancies Act 2010 is underway, with proposed reforms from the Government expected soon. Through the review process, The Greens have proposed a number of reforms http://www.jennyleong.org/greens_rental_law_reform_campaign to provide increased stability, security and choice for renters, and to improve standards for rental properties.
- In February 2017, a study co-authored by CHOICE, the National Association of Tenants' Organisations and National Shelter, titled Unsettled: Life in Australia's private rental market https://www.choice.com.au/money/property/renting/articles/choice-rental-market-report, found that 83% of renters in Australia have no fixed-term lease or are on a lease less than 12 months long, and 62% feel they're not in a position to ask for longer term rental security.
- In the lead up to the 2015 State election, the Greens in Newtown announced a package to reform renters rights - including calling for an end to no grounds evictions and the introduction of rent caps. Since then, the Greens have been campaigning for a better deal for renters.