See you at the markets this weekend!

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This weekend Save Tenant Services campaigners will be out and about at local markets to help spread the word about the issues facing tenants in Qld concerned with the loss of services.

We will be asking market goers to sign letters to the Qld Premier, Campbell Newman, to pass on a small amount of tenants’ bond interest to fund a tenant advice service for Qld tenants and the Federal Attorney-General, George Brandis to keep tenants advice services alive until the Qld Govt returns the funding.

For the next two weekends we’ll be at Rocklea Sunday Markets – head over to say g’day. After that we’ll be at Mt Gravatt, Manly and West End (Davies Park) Markets.

We’re still inviting supporters to help us with the markets, visit your local MP, distribute information to friends and neighbours etc. If you’d like to help with the campaign, please let us know on the volunteer form.

Newman Govt announces RTA board with NO tenant representation.

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The Newman Government delivers another blow to tenants.

The RTA (Residential Tenancies Authority) has a board that has normally consisted of members who can provide perspective from a variety of stakeholder groups.

For the last 20 years there has been a board member representing tenants on the RTA board, as there should be, the RTA is funded from the proceeds from tenant’s bond money.

In another attack aimed at Qld tenants the Newman Government appointed the RTA board this week with NO tenants’ representative. The new board consists of members with backgrounds in real estate agencies, property owner groups, public housing, finance and building but NOT from groups representing tenants. One third of Queenslanders are tenants – tenants’ money provides the capital to run the RTA – it is hard to believe that tenants’ interests are not represented.

This move further highlights the need for an independent tenant’s advice service in Qld.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/10/29/new-board-for-residential-tenancies-authority

Please extend the Federal emergency funding to tenant services

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The Federal Government acknowledged the importance of the tenant advice and advocacy services that have existed in Qld for over 20 years and provided emergency money after the Qld Government diverted away the small percentage of tenants’ own bond interest that had provided the funding for these services.

With no long term solution available from the Newman Government as yet we must ask that the Federal Government extends its funding until the Qld Government is prepared to give its commitment to independent tenant advice and advocacy services.

Please send an email request to the Federal Attorney General.

Renovating Housing Report shows the imbalance – need for tenant services

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The report – “Renovating Housing Policy” released by the Grattan Institute last week clearly describes the imbalance already present in the Australian Housing system. Landlords and owners of homes enjoy enormous benefits through Government policies compared to people who rent their homes. As more people are renting their home, and renting for a longer part of their lives this imbalance of fairness will cause more strain to the system and anguish for more people – especially tenants.

With the odds stacked so much against them tenants need access to independent tenants’ advice and advocacy services.

When these services were funded by the tenants’ own bonds and not from State taxes it makes the case for continuing the funding seem beyond obvious.

If you can help please spread the word, consider volunteering, and write to your MP & the Premier

See the Grattan Report

Gold Coast tenant helped to avoid unfair eviction by advice service – a tenant’s story

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After having problems getting maintenance done on her rented home then being unfairly treated by the agent, Marie* sought help from her local independent Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service. The Service helped her through the process of a QCAT hearing to achieve a fair outcome. This is her story.

Help save tenant services

*not her real name

Minimum standards for rental properties in Victoria? While Qld Govt strips tenants’ services.

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Nearly every product on the market has to meet a set of standards, from food to cars to computers.
A Victorian Greens MP, Greg Barber, believes basic standards should also apply to people’s homes in the private rental sector.  He has proposed legislation for Victoria to establish these standards.
The standards would cover things like structural integrity. The standards might include an electrical safety switch, windows with glass in them, locks, running water, a stove and a sink, protection from damp and its effects.  What do you think?  At a time when private rental properties don’t have to meet basic standards, is it appropriate for the Government to strip funding from tenant advice services?  Who will help tenants exercise their rights to get basic maintenance and repairs done?

Have a look at Greg Barber’s proposal here.

With more tenants than ever, the Government is making more money from our bonds and taking away our services!

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Photo: James Brickwood

Across Australia, more people are renting in the private rental sector than previously, in fact there are twice as many renters today than there were in 1981.  And they are renting long term, no longer is private rental a transitional tenure to home ownership.  But renters in Australia have fewer tenancy rights than renters in Europe.

So why is the Qld Government withdrawing funding to tenant advice services?  Especially since the tenancy advice services are self-funded, ie they don’t rely on taxpayers because they are funded by a small portion of tenants’ bond money.  With more tenants, and therefore increased levels of bond interest, the government is in a better position than ever before to allow funding to go to support tenant advice services.

Contact your MP, write to the Premier demand our services back!

See – With more people renting than 30 years ago, change is needed to protect tenants’ rights.

Tasmanian tenants get minimum standards – congratulations!!!

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Reprinted from Tenants’ Union of Tasmania’s e-newsletter Rent Rant Spring edition 2013

Tenancy Bill Gets Through Upper HouseTUT

Tasmania will be the first state or territory to have legislated minimum standards for residential tenancies, following the successful passage of the Residential Tenancy Amendment Bill (Tasmania) through the Upper House last Thursday.

The proposed minimum standards listed below went through unscathed but not without much discussion and some dissent. The standards require all tenanted properties to be:

  • Weatherproof and structurally sound
  • Clean and in good repair • Equipped with bathroom and toilet
  • Serviced with a kitchen sink, hotplates and an oven (which can be a microwave)
  • Supplied with electricity and one fixed form of heating
  • Provided with curtains (except properties owned by Housing Tasmania)
  • Adequately ventilated

Fraser Coast – Advice still there for tenants despite cuts

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Reprinted from the Fraser Coast Chronicle 19th Sep 2013

TENANTS Union Queensland Fraser Coast is reminding people in the region its advice service remains open and available despite funding complications across the past 14 months.

“TUQ Fraser Coast continues to deliver free and specialised tenancy advice both face-to-face and by the telephone to tenants in our community,” TUQ spokeswoman Ros Connor said.

“While funding is still only secured until the end of December, we are very pleased that these much-needed services are still available to local tenants.”

In the past two months TUQ Fraser Coast has helped 188 tenants.

Tenants can access free advice by phoning 1300 744 263 or 41241523

Your help needed to help save tenant advice services beyond December 2013

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Save Tenant Services Icon
Help Save Tenant Advice Services before funding ends in December

Tenant advice services delivered by the Tenants’ Union of Queensland and 15 local tenant advice services across the state will cease to operate at the end of December unless the Newman government re-instates funding in the near future. We need your help now – find out what you can do here!

These independent services have operated for over 20 years. Less than 15% of the interest generated on tenants’ bonds had been used to fund these services through the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS) Program. That funding was withdrawn last year as a part of the Newman government’s budget cuts.

On October 3, 2012, three weeks before that withdrawal took effect, the Commonwealth Government stepped in to provide emergency funding until June 30 this year. As that date approached and with no long term solution found, the Commonwealth offered a funding extension until December 31. We now need a long term solution or services will close at the end of 2013.
Continue reading →

Government changes in absences in public housing – STS comments

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Housing Minister Tim Mander has announced he will crack down on public housing tenantsJudging up who are away from their rental home for more than 3 months.

The Minister’s press release implied public housing tenants who took leave from their rental properties were taking unjustified holiday breaks “Obviously, the current situation is absurd and needs to be changed,” he said.

The Queensland government is the largest landlord in Queensland and manages 51,705 rental properties. The Minister’s figures revealed that 285 tenants successfully sought permission to be away from their property for between 3 and 12 months last year.

To take a leave of absence Tenants must have a valid reason and apply to the Department for permission.

Public housing tenants may take leave from their properties for many reasons, including caring for family members, extended hospital treatments, rehabilitation, or short periods of imprisonment. Any implication that many public housing tenants are taking unjustified extended overseas holidays is clearly misleading.

All tenant absences must be approved by the Department of Housing in accordance with their policy guidelines. Continue reading →

Minister announces review of Manufactured Homes legislation

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 Media Release 19-9-13Man homes
Minister for Housing and Public Works the Hon Tim Mander

Government to review manufactured homes industry

Manufactured home owners will have an opportunity to share their views about legislation that covers their residences through a survey released today on the Queensland Government’s ‘Get Involved’ website.

Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander said the survey is part of a review of the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 to ensure it strikes a fair balance between residents and park operators.

“We are keen to engage with manufactured homes owners and seek their views on how the Act can be improved,” Mr Mander said. 

“The Act hasn’t been reviewed since 2006, so it is time to take another look and bring it up to speed with this evolving industry.”

The survey will include questions on a range of topics including sales, operations, utility charges, rent increases and dispute resolution.

Mr Mander said respondents would have 12 weeks to provide their feedback, with the survey closing on 20 December 2013.

He said in addition to the survey, the department would be consulting with park owners and industry representatives, as well as home owner advocacy and other interested groups.

“Further public consultation will take place when a discussion paper is released early next year,” he said.

The survey is available online at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au or visit www.hpw.qld.gov.au/housing for more information.