Renters fearful of speaking up about essential repairs
Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase.
A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying.
Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently.
Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network.
It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms.
Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits.
Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property.
The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled.
ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market.
"It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said.
"Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home."
National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew.
"Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said.
"Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home."
The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services.
Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase.
A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying.
Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently.
Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network.
It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms.
Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits.
Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property.
The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled.
ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market.
"It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said.
"Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home."
National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew.
"Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said.
"Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home."
The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services.
Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase.
A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying.
Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently.
Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network.
It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms.
Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits.
Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property.
The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled.
ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market.
"It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said.
"Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home."
National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew.
"Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said.
"Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home."
The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services.
Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase.
A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying.
Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently.
Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network.
It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms.
Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits.
Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property.
The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled.
ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market.
"It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said.
"Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home."
National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew.
"Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said.
"Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home."
The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services.
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News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Sydney dumpster diver exposes ‘sad reality' as tonnes of food goes to landfill
A Sydney dumpster diver has revealed the huge extent of food wastage in the city, after collecting thousands of dollars of unwanted groceries. Matthew* has been dumpster diving for years, but says he rarely collects food for himself. Instead, the good Samaritan leaves boxes full of groceries found in nearby supermarket bins out the front of his Enfield home, in Sydney's inner west. His only request – neighbours only 'take what they need'. Matthew told NewsWire he is continually amazed at just how much food goes to waste from some of the country's biggest supermarkets. 'Damaged stock is the most annoying thing I see in supermarket bins, especially when there is nothing wrong with the actual product,' he said. 'Say for example a supermarket receives a case of Coke or jam or pasta sauce but only two cans or three jars have broken. They throw the whole case away, it doesn't matter if the rest of the stock is fine. 'Eggs is another one … they are throwing out cartons of eggs about a month before the best before date, yes some are cracked but I have seen plenty of good ones.' Produce such as fruits and vegetables are also being thrown out at a startling rate, Matthew said. 'You know those mesh bags of oranges … they would throw the whole bag out even if only one is bad … but the rest are fine,' he said. However, on his search for groceries amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Matthew says he was startled to discover that more and more supermarkets have begun locking up their bins. 'Pretty much everywhere are locking their bins … two of my local spots are not locked,' he said, adding the amount of usable stuff being thrown out is 'mad'. But while Matthew says he is glad to help those in need in his community, Australian Charity OzHarvest says the act is a 'sad reflection' of how much good food is still needlessly going to waste. 'We currently rescue 300 tonnes of food a week from over 2,500 businesses across the country,' a spokesman told NewsWire. The charity added they are 'committed to working directly with as many food businesses as possible to make sure that edible food is donated and delivered directly and safely to people in need'. The risks While tonnes of food every week is being wasted across the country, supermarket giants are warning the practice of dumpster diving itself comes with 'significant risks'. 'While food found in dumpster bins might look edible, it's not fit for human consumption,' a Coles spokesman told NewsWire. 'There is significant health risks associated with consuming food from dumpster bins, as anything that is not donated to food rescue organisations like SecondBite has been put there as it's deemed unsuitable for sale or donation due to being past its use by date or spoiled.' The supermarket giant added that from a 'physical safety perspective', they 'strongly discourage' the act, given the height of bins located outside of supermarkets, and the fact they are 'often located in or around loading bays with trucks and large vehicles moving in and out of these bays'. Woolworths also echoed this sentiment, telling NewsWire the act is inherently unsafe. Both supermarkets, however, are in collaboration with charities to help ensure much needed food gets to people who may be struggling. Coles partner with SecondBite and Foodbank, and in 2024 donated more than 20,000 tonnes of food — the equivalent of over 39 million meals — to support food relief efforts all across Australia. Meanwhile, Woolworths partner with both OzHarvest and Foodbank and in 2024, the Woolworth's group diverted 80 per cent of it's food waste from landfill, and donated the equivalent of more than 36 million meals to our hunger relief partners. Legalities But not only are desperate Australians subjecting themselves to health risks while dumpster diving, they may also land themselves in trouble for the act. NSW Police said a person 'may be committing an offence' such as trespass or stealing, if they were accessing private property or a secure bin. Woolworths Group have policies in place which requires any external bins managed by a store to be locked. Matthew himself says he has been threatened in the past by security, once being warned he'd receive a $1000 fine from the council, and was made to put everything back. A 'symptom of housing costs' But despite potential health and legal risks, thousands of desperate Australians feel they have been left with no other option. Wayside Chapel Pastor and CEO, Jon Owen said the trend highlights the 'resilience of people' in 'impossible situations'. 'This isn't about choice – it's about people being forced into survival mode because our systems are failing them. These are our neighbours, often with jobs, who simply can't afford both rent and food,' he told NewsWire. 'While people are forced to search through bins, we're throwing away tons of perfectly good food daily. The scandal isn't that people are dumpster diving – it's that we allow this level of waste alongside this level of need.' Dumpster diving is a' symptom of housing costs pushing people beyond survival mode', Mr Owen explained. 'We need better food rescue programs, rent caps, and increased social housing. People shouldn't have to risk their safety and dignity searching through rubbish for food.' 'Our community meals serve an average of around 1000 people weekly – no questions asked, with dignity. But we know many more are going hungry rather than seeking help due to shame.'
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Renters fearful of speaking up about essential repairs
Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services. Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services. Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services. Almost seven in 10 private housing tenants worry about asking for repairs in case they face a rent increase. A survey of more than a thousand renters across Australia has also found a third would be unable to afford a five per cent increase on what they're currently paying. Half the respondents live in homes that need repairs and one in 10 need them carried out urgently. Conducted by the Australian Council of Social Security, University of NSW, Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, National Shelter and the National Association of Renter Organisations, the study is the 26th published by the advocacy network. It found 31 per cent of rental homes have cockroach, ant or other pest problems, almost a quarter are leaky and one in five have issues with hot water, while almost as many feature mouldy bathrooms. Rents have, meanwhile, surged a staggering 47 per cent in the past five years amid calls for nationwide rental increase limits. Even so, researchers found 68 per cent of tenants fear asking their landlord to repair their residence would mean upping the rent, 56 per suspect it would get them evicted and 52 per cent worry that they would be placed on a blacklist stopping them renting another property. The findings were magnified for tenants in disadvantaged groups, especially the unemployed, poorly educated and disabled. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie says the study highlights the serious failings of Australia's housing market. "It is completely unacceptable that people in the private rental market are nervous about asking for essential repairs because they fear a rent increase or eviction notice," she said. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in secure homes without the constant fear of losing their home." National Association of Renters' Organisations spokesman Leo Patterson said the report validated what tenants already knew. "Despite extensive rental laws on paper, it exposes the stark gap between legislation and reality," he said. "Weak oversight of rental costs, property standards and industry practices have denied renters the benefits of a safe, stable and healthy home." The agencies involved in the project are calling for a limit to the amount and frequency of rent increases, improved legal security via the abolition of no-grounds evictions and more funding for tenants' advice services.
The Australian
a day ago
- The Australian
Half of homeless Aussie youth asking for help get turned away
Half of young homeless Australians asking for a place to sleep are being turned away, figures from a leading NSW not-for-profit show, with one woman who got lucky in a 'million-to-one' chance now pushing for change. NSW organisation Yfoundations has taken to filming young homeless people as they search for a safe place to sleep, putting a face to the overwhelming demand for help. 'The popularity of shows like Survivor and Alone has turned survival into entertainment,' Yfoundations chief executive John Macmillan told NewsWire. 'This series confronts the raw reality too many young Australians face every day. 'Youth homelessness is not just a statistic; it's a human tragedy.' The content series is called Young and Alone. 'We're fascinated by watching adults battle brutal conditions for fun, but survival isn't a social experiment for young people experiencing homelessness – it's a hard-hitting reality and the content series shines the light on this.' Sydneysider Natasha Ransford was saved by a 'million-to-one' chance, a youth refuge centre saving a bed while she was on school camp. Now nine years later, Ms Ransford, 25, is a youth worker at the very same refuge. 'No young person chooses to be homeless,' she told NewsWire. 'There are a lot of misconceptions that young people are just bad and that they get on drugs, or they don't want to listen to their parents, or they move out and that's why they become homeless. I want to challenge all those misconceptions.' Sydney woman Natasha Ransford works for the youth refuge organisation that took her in as a teenager. Picture: Supplied From ages 14 to 16, Ms Ransford was bouncing between her sister and her dad's house, as her mother's 'severe' alcoholism up-ended the teenager's home life. She found a home with Project Youth in Sydney's southwest. A scholarship from Toyota helped her finish year 12 while working part time, cooking and cleaning for herself after school. 'I had to grow up very quickly and it's been beneficial for me now,' Ms Ransford said. 'I've been paying rent since I was 16, I'm good with money and budgeting. I have a really strong work ethic. 'But to put that onto a 16 year old, it wasn't fair.' In year 10, dropping out of school to go and work seemed like the best option. Ms Ransford's mental health was in poor condition, and she had learnt to use alcohol as a coping mechanism. With the help of Project Youth, support from school and health care, she now holds a Diploma of Community Services and a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management. She was never forced to sleep rough, was able to go from the refuge to transitional housing, and now rents a place with friends. Across the country, there are estimated to be more than 43,000 young people experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Currie Ms Ransford identifies a turning point in her life – when Project Youth held a bed so she could go on school camp. 'I was 16 … I went in one afternoon and told them basically what was going on at home. 'Surprisingly, they had a bedroom available that night, which normally is very, very rare. 'I had year 11 camp the next day. 'I asked them if they could hold the bed for me until after I got back from camp. They did, which they wouldn't be able to do now just because the need has grown so much.' The youth refuge became her home, on a Saturday after school camp. 'The chances of that happening now would be like a million-to-one,' Ms Ransford said. 'I don't think any service can afford to hold a bed for three nights for someone. 'It's unfortunately the case of if you can get it that time, then you can. First in, first serve, but I quite often think that was a turning point in my life.' Yfoundations has launched a petition calling on the federal and state governments to make ending youth homelessness a national priority, with the development of a targeted plan and funding. 'For too long, the specific and complex needs of children and young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness have been assumed to be the same as those of adults and have not been explicitly addressed in government plans to address homelessness,' the petition reads. Blair Jackson Reporter Blair's journalism career has taken him from Perth, to New Zealand, Queensland and now Melbourne. Blair Jackson
