The rental housing crisis is hurting our most vulnerable and demands a range of solutions (but capping rents isn’t one of them)

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-beer-111469">Andrew Beer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-baker-172081">Emma Baker</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p>Roughly <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/housing-occupancy-and-costs/2019-20">one in three Australians</a> rent their homes. It’s Australia’s fastest-growing tenure, but renting is increasingly unaffordable. From 2020 to 2022, our <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4253168">research</a> found a large increase in the proportion of renters who said their housing was unaffordable.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=217&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=217&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=217&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=273&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=273&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/542737/original/file-20230815-25187-p7vxqo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=273&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="horizontal bar chart showing changes in Australian renters' assessments of affordability form 2020 to 2022" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Change in Australian renters’ assessments of affordability from 2020 to 2022.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Baker, Daniel, Beer, et al, forthcoming, The Australian Housing Conditions Dataset, doi:10.26193/SLCU9J, ADA Dataverse</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Australians are concerned about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/05/rents-rise-again-across-australia-with-sydney-seeing-fastest-rise-in-20-years">pace</a> of <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/how-much-has-rent-increased-around-australia/8ljlnf0zm">rent rises</a>. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/national-cabinet-meeting">says</a> increasing housing supply and affordability is the “key priority” for tomorrow’s national cabinet meeting.</p> <p>The crisis has impacts well beyond affordability. The rental sector is where the worst housing accommodates the poorest Australians with the worst health.</p> <h2>The unhealthy state of rental housing</h2> <p>Forthcoming data from the <a href="https://dataverse.ada.edu.au/dataverse/ahcdi">Australian Housing Conditions Dataset</a> highlight some of these parallel challenges:</p> <ul> <li> <p>it’s often insecure – the average lease is less than 12 months, and less than a third of formal rental agreements extend beyond 12 months</p> </li> <li> <p>rental housing quality is often very poor – 45% of renters rate the condition of their dwelling as “average, poor, or very poor”</p> </li> <li> <p>poor housing conditions put the health of renters at risk – 43% report problems with damp or mould, and 35% have difficulty keeping their homes warm in winter or cool in summer</p> </li> <li> <p>compounding these health risks, people with poorer health are over-represented in the rental sector. Renters are almost twice as likely as mortgage holders to have poorer general health.</p> </li> </ul> <p>Measures that potentially restrict the supply of lower-cost rental housing – such as rent caps – will <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4253168">worsen these impacts</a>. More households will be left searching in a shrinking pool of affordable housing.</p> <h2>It’s all about supply</h2> <p>Fixing the rental crisis needs more than a single focus on private rental housing. The movement between households over time between renting and buying homes means the best solutions are those that boost the supply of affordable housing generally. No one policy can provide all the answers.</p> <p>Governments should be looking at multiple actions, including:</p> <ul> <li> <p>requiring local councils to adopt affordable housing strategies as well as mandating <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/analysis/brief/understanding-inclusionary-zoning">inclusionary zoning</a>, which requires developments to include a proportion of affordable homes</p> </li> <li> <p>improving land supply through better forecasting at the national, state and local levels</p> </li> <li> <p>giving housing and planning ministers the power to deliver affordable housing targets by providing support for demonstration projects, subsidised land to social housing providers and access to surplus land</p> </li> <li> <p>boosting the recruitment and retention of skilled construction workers from both domestic and international sources.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>The biggest landlord subsidy isn’t helping</h2> <p>More than <a href="https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/taxation-statistics-2020-21/resource/ebbd32e3-4556-41e1-a8b9-33387457d518">1 million Australians</a> claim a net rent loss (negative gearing) each year. Even though negative gearing is focused on rental investment losses, it is not strictly a housing policy as it applies to many types of investment.</p> <p>The impact of negative gearing on the housing system is untargeted and largely uncontrolled. As a result, it’s driving outcomes that are sometimes at odds with the need to supply well-located affordable housing.</p> <p>The most impactful action the Australian government could take to deliver more affordable rental housing nationwide would involve refining negative-gearing arrangements to boost the supply of low-income rentals. These measures may involve</p> <ul> <li>limiting negative gearing to dwellings less than ten years old</li> <li>introducing a low-income tax credit scheme similar to the one in the United States.</li> </ul> <p>We can learn much from the US, where the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (<a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/lihtc.html">LIHTC</a>) scheme subsidises the acquisition, construction and renovation of affordable rental housing for tenants on low to moderate incomes. Since the mid-1990s, the program has supported the construction or renovation of about 110,000 affordable rental units each year. That adds up to over <a href="https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-low-income-housing-tax-credit-and-how-does-it-work">2 million units</a> at an estimated annual cost of US$9billion (A$13.8billion).</p> <p>This scheme is much less expensive per unit of affordable housing delivered than Australia’s system of negative gearing.</p> <p>Closer to home, the previous National Rental Affordability Scheme showed the value of targeted financial incentives in encouraging affordable housing. This scheme, available to private and disproved investors, generated positive outcomes for tenants. The benefits included better health for low-income tenants who were able to moved into quality new housing.</p> <p>A <a href="https://cityfutures.ada.unsw.edu.au/documents/81/Next_moves_report.pdf">raft</a> of <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/260431">evaluations</a> have <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/267">demonstrated</a> the achievements of this scheme.</p> <h2>Crisis calls for lasting solutions</h2> <p>Short-term measures such as rent caps or eviction bans will not provide a solution in the near future or even the medium or long term. Instead, these are likely to worsen both the housing costs and health of low-income tenants.</p> <p>Reform focused on ongoing needs is called for. Solutions that can be implemented quickly include the tighter targeting of negative gearing and the introduction of a low-income housing tax credit.</p> <p>Talking about change, as the national cabinet is doing, will begin that process of transformation, but it must be backed up by a range of measures to boost the supply of affordable housing. This, in turn, will improve the housing market overall as affordable options become more widely available.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211275/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-beer-111469">Andrew Beer</a>, Executive Dean, UniSA Business, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-baker-172081">Emma Baker</a>, Professor of Housing Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-rental-housing-crisis-is-hurting-our-most-vulnerable-and-demands-a-range-of-solutions-but-capping-rents-isnt-one-of-them-211275">original article</a>.</em></p>

Real Estate

Breaking the mould: why rental properties are more likely to be mouldy and what’s needed to stop people getting sick

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-bentley-173502">Rebecca Bentley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nicola-willand-441807">Nicola Willand</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tim-law-1438482">Tim Law</a></em></p> <p>Rental properties are more <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8835129/">likely be mouldy</a> than other homes. This is a concern as excessive mould growth is known to <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789289041683">harm human health</a>.</p> <p>Once buildings are infested with mould, the difficult and costly issue of remediation arises. Landlords and tenants are caught in the middle of a tussle over who is responsible for fixing the problem. As one Melbourne renter and research participant told our colleague Maria Gatto, during a study validating mould reporting:</p> <blockquote> <p>The landlord came around [and] walked [into] every room where there’s black mould on the ceiling – like it’s freaking [something out of the TV series] Stranger Things – and she’s like, ‘Oh, a little bit of mould in winter, it’s very normal, it’s fine […] this happens every winter, it’s not a big deal’.</p> </blockquote> <p>Heading into winter, after <a href="https://theconversation.com/la-nina-3-years-in-a-row-a-climate-scientist-on-what-flood-weary-australians-can-expect-this-summer-190542">three consecutive La Niñas</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/sudden-mould-outbreak-after-all-this-rain-youre-not-alone-but-you-are-at-risk-177820">conditions are ripe</a> for a mega-mould season. Combining our expertise in health, law, building and construction, we examine the problem of mould in homes and offer guidance for both renters and landlords.</p> <h2>Ideal conditions for growth</h2> <p>Mould is a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/whatismold.html">fungal growth</a> that reproduces via tiny airborne particles called spores. When these spores settle on moist, plant-based construction materials such as wood, wallpaper or plasterboard, they can form a new colony.</p> <p>Growth is more likely when homes are cold, humid, lack air flow, or suffer from water damage. Outbreaks have been reported in flooded parts of southeastern Australia.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sD2Ij_QlzwA?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Black mould an invisible threat growing behind walls of flood-affected homes (ABC News)</span></figcaption></figure> <p>So why is the problem of household mould worse in rentals? <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/338">Weak regulation of tenancy legislation</a> is just one of many factors. Rental properties tend to be poorly maintained, with <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/338">structural problems</a> such as leaks. Given this, they can be expensive to heat.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=422&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=422&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=422&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=531&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=531&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526246/original/file-20230515-19465-odirz2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=531&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A chart showing the percentage of homes with structural defects in each category" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Rental homes have more structural defects than owner-occupied homes.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/338">Nicola Willand, using data from Moore et. al., (2020), Warm, cool and energy-affordable housing policy solutions for low-income renters, AHURI Final Report, vol. no. 338. Appendix 2</a>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>How mould makes people sick</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789289041683">World Health Organization</a> recognises mould can be harmful.</p> <p>A 2022 Asthma Australia <a href="https://asthma.org.au/what-we-do/advocacy/housing/">report</a> revealed people living in mouldy homes were more likely to have asthma and allergies. A systematic review of peer-reviewed research found <a href="https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/4/812">children living in mouldy homes</a> were more likely to experience asthma, wheeze and allergic irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and mouth (allergic rhinitis).</p> <p>Living with mould is a source of stress. People worry about the consequences for their health and there is a growing body of evidence describing the <a href="https://jech.bmj.com/content/50/1/56">negative mental health effects</a> of mouldy, damp homes.</p> <h2>Problems with managing mould in the rental sector</h2> <p>There is a gap between building and residential tenancies legislation. A building deemed to meet the minimum standards of the construction code with respect to mould may not meet the minimum standards for rental. That’s because there’s ambiguity in the <a href="https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/">National Construction Code</a> around “minimum standards of health”.</p> <p>For example the Victorian <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/building-act-1993/136">Building Act 1993</a> contains some provisions for the relevant surveyor to serve a notice on the basis of a health circumstance affecting a user. However, there is no guidance on how to assess the health of the indoor environment, or to deliver a building direction that will address the root cause for mould. This varies by state and territory.</p> <p>Mould remediation can be costly. A <a href="https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/about/research/examining-indoor-mould-and-moisture-damage-in-victorian-residential-buildings">study</a> by Victoria University found half the defects causing mould were water-related. These were more expensive to fix than other problems, by an average of A$7,000.</p> <p>Each winter, <a href="https://tenantsvic.org.au/advice/common-problems/mould-and-damp/">Tenants Victoria</a> deals with a spike in renters seeking legal help to resolve their mould problems. This led to the service launching an annual winter Mould Clinic in 2021.</p> <p>Despite increased legal protections, renters are still struggling to get mould fixed. For these reasons, many renters find the legal process doesn’t offer a solution to their problem, and instead move to a new property, with all its attendant costs and stresses. Others can’t afford to leave, or live in social housing with limited transfer options.</p> <h2>Charting mould in homes across Australia</h2> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525848/original/file-20230512-21-xb83ft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A bar chart comparing the prevalence of mould in homes across Australian states and territories" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Mould is more prevalent in rentals compared to owner-occupied dwellings. Mould is most commonly reported in New South Wales. The difference between owners and renters is greatest in the ACT.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Australian Housing Conditions Dataset 2022 doi:10.26193/SLCU9J</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Where does the responsibility lie?</h2> <p>Tenancy legislation varies by state and territory. Renters should familiarise themselves with the regulations in their jurisdiction.</p> <p>In Victoria, <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/residential-tenancies-act-1997/101">residential tenancies legislation</a> has set the criteria that “each room in the rented premises must be free from mould and damp caused by or related to the building structure”. Landlords now must disclose if they have treated mould in the past three years.</p> <p>Similarly, <a href="https://www.rta.qld.gov.au/rental-law-changes">new legislation in Queensland</a> (coming into effect in September) states rental properties should be free from vermin, damp and mould where this is caused by issues with the structural soundness of the property.</p> <p>In New South Wales, the landlord needs to <a href="https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/during-a-tenancy/health,-safety-and-security">disclose signs of mould</a> and dampness in the condition report (but not necessarily have fixed it). Mould is not mentioned in the <a href="https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1997-84/">ACT residential tenancies legislation</a>.</p> <p>For the most part, the responsibility for mould in rental properties lies with landlords if the cause is structural –- for example, if a broken or faulty window frame has let rainwater inside.</p> <p>Requests for urgent repairs can be accompanied by an assessment report by an occupational hygienist, environmental health professional or expert from the local council. People with an existing health condition such as asthma can include a doctor’s report.</p> <h2>What next?</h2> <p>To achieve change across all relevant domains of regulation, construction, natural disaster response and government policy, we need a sustainable, broad healthy <a href="https://www.healthyhousing-cre.org">housing agenda in Australia</a>. We also need to consider options for immediate action.</p> <p>As one Victorian renter noted:</p> <blockquote> <p>When we buy a car for the purpose of driving on the roads, we’re required to get a roadworthy certificate to make sure it’s safe, because of the risk to other people […] Ideally it would be great if there was [some] kind of ‘rentworthy’ certificate […] to demonstrate that the property has been inspected, to identify any structural issues that might affect the tenant’s health and wellbeing. And that that be available to tenants […] before they enter into a lease or before (the property is) even able to be advertised.</p> </blockquote> <p><em>Quotes in this article were collected by Maria Gatto as part of her Masters of Public Health, conducted at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health in 2022.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205472/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-bentley-173502">Rebecca Bentley</a>, Professor of Social Epidemiology and Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nicola-willand-441807">Nicola Willand</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tim-law-1438482">Tim Law</a>, Guest lecturer and Practice Lead — Building Sciences, at Restoration Industry Consultants</em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/breaking-the-mould-why-rental-properties-are-more-likely-to-be-mouldy-and-whats-needed-to-stop-people-getting-sick-205472">original article</a>.</em></p>

Real Estate

Bizarre reason mum with one-year-old “failed” rental inspection

<p>A frustrated NSW mother has slammed her real estate agent after she “failed” her home rental inspection.</p> <p>Samantha Smith said the agent was inspecting her Newcastle property at the time.</p> <p>“I failed because I need to tidy up, I need to tidy up the toys,” she said in a TikTok, showing viewers her son’s toys which were stored on shelves and the floor.</p> <p>“Sorry, I need to tidy up the toys? I’ve got a one-year-old.</p> <p>“Are they allowed to say that?”</p> <p>The agent said the mattress in the living room made it difficult to access other parts of the house.</p> <p>Smith walked around the mattress into another room in an attempt to show that it wasn’t a cause for concern.</p> <p>“My partner sleeps there because, you know, I have a one-year-old, and he gets up at 4:30 (in the morning) and I don’t want him to wake us up,” she explained.</p> <p>The mum also mentioned that a cleaner comes every week to clean the entire house and said that “everything” is cleaned frequently.</p> <p>Aside from the toys and mattress, Smith revealed the agent also told her to tidy up the linen press cupboard and clean the ceiling fans.</p> <p>“This is the only cupboard where I can store our linen press stuff and our food because the whole house has no other cupboards,” she said.</p> <p>“Is that a joke? Like how is what’s in my cupboard any of her business?”</p> <p>She then shared the agent told her to wash the outside of her house.</p> <p>“That’s mould, mate, that’s black mould, I’m not washing that, like that’s not my business,” Smith said, panning the camera to the outside walls and overall exterior of her property.</p> <p>“Why is she judging me (for) the way I live?</p> <p>“What peeves me is that there is so much that needs to be repaired.”</p> <p>She then walked around the property and pointed out damages showing an unstable wooden corner of the room, lifting floorboards on the outside deck, a rotten handrailing and a damaged gate that wouldn’t close.</p> <p>The frustrated mother said she had been living on the property for seven years and paid $550 for rent per week.</p> <p>She also mentioned the lack of storage in her home, adding that the contract prevented her family from storing items in the garage, so they had to rent out a storage unit for $150 per week.</p> <p>“I’m pretty pissed off, like the fact that, you know, there’s stuff that needs to be fixed that is severe, like we could fall through the deck, the corner could fall off and split our head open, like our blinds are actually yellow on the other side so they’re all brittle, she wants me to fix them. Like I didn’t do the damage, the sun did,” Smith explained.</p> <p>Smith’s video went viral on TikTok, attracting more than 43,000 views and hundreds of comments.</p> <p>Many people sympathised with the mother, expressing their own shock at the agent’s requests, saying inspections should be focused on inspecting damage to the property alone.</p> <p>“Rental inspections used to check for any damage, structural damage and to ensure the house is being kept in a hygienic manner. These days they expect the house to be presented better than when you moved in. Toys, belongings in cupboards etc is not to be penalised,” one person explained.</p> <p>“They can only look at the general wear and tear of the house. They cannot tell you to tidy your house or to pick up toys. Take them to tribunal,” another added.</p> <p>“A house inspection should be more worried about damage to the house than a mess of kids’ toys. A man was told to make his bed in an inspection,” a third said.</p> <p>Other TikTok users shared their own similar experiences.</p> <p>“My property manager told me I had too many ‘knick knacks’ on my shelves,” one said.</p> <p>“Don’t worry I got told that I can’t have a table in my garage because it’s only for cars and that my baby toys needed to be hidden away,” another commented.</p> <p>“37 weeks pregnant, husband doing overtime before baby comes and they wanted me to have the house in the same condition they rented it to us,” another user shared.</p> <p><em>Image credit: TikTok</em></p>

Real Estate

Desperate rental times call for desperate rental note-taking

<p>Renting can be difficult at the best of times, and as many around the world can attest, some landlords have little interest in the upkeep of the properties they’re letting, or in those paying hundreds to thousands of dollars a week to reside in them. </p> <p>And one renter has had enough, deciding it only right to warn whoever might take over their lease after them - a move that Councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan wholeheartedly backed, sharing the renter’s cheeky tactics to Facebook for all to see. </p> <p>“If you’re moving out of a rental and your landlord/agent is showing the property to new prospective tenants,” he wrote, “consider leaving some notes or posters like this in a few prominent locations around the home. </p> <p>“Legally, an agent or landlord shouldn’t be touching or interfering with them in any way.” </p> <p>He later edited the post to include that “this is an actual photo from a Brisbane renter”, and to tell everyone that “no, it wasn’t me - I live on a houseboat.”</p> <p>Attached was an image of the renter’s bold move - a series of notes stuck to what appears to be the inside of a door, each one highlighting a different issue they had faced while living there, with no solutions - or even attempts at one - mentioned. </p> <p>“NOTE TO SELF,” the first one announced, with the following going on to list everything from recurring mould (a common issue faced by renters), nearby construction and its consequent dust and noise, as well as “non-negotiable” rent rises.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjonno.sri%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0MToFp2CzdfGPKD6fq9GYUiiG6H1Wxe8d2GJ9cpYtNP9qYusvm79eX4LaetnNVSptl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="716" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>People were quick to join the discussion - most were on the side of the renter, with one popular comment suggesting that “there should be a system that black lists landlords for breach of agreements, the same way tenants can be black listed for damage.</p> <p>“We also need a website to rate our property managers, landlords and properties.” </p> <p>“Yep. For far too long Landlords have had free reign to abuse their power with no sort of recording or accountability of their behaviour,” wrote one. “I’ve had some wonderful ones and some horrendous ones.” </p> <p>“I used to pull prospective tenants aside and fill them in,” shared another. </p> <p>“A few nervous and cranky landlords in this thread,” quipped one. </p> <p>Meanwhile, someone only had one thing to run by everyone, “so an artistic ‘beware ye, all ye who enter here’ wouldn't be beyond doing?” </p> <p>Others failed to see so much as the funny side - without even mentioning the underlying problems the renter and councillor were begging people to address - and instead tried to scare any like-minded renters from trying something similar. </p> <p>“And good luck with getting a positive rental reference after pulling a stunt like that,” said one. </p> <p>“If you don’t like the rental property just move on,” one suggested, leading many to suspect that they had never - or at least not in a long time - attempted to secure a rental property. </p> <p>“What I don't get is.... if something is causing you this much grief..... do it yourself or pay someone, if the realestate don't pay.... meh you can at least move on with your life for a few hundred dollars,” someone else said, apparently unaware of the limitations many renters are faced with when it comes to touching their rental. </p> <p>Councillor Sriranganathan returned to the post to share comments he’d made to <em>The Courier Mail</em>, adding that “too often, landlords and agents fail to disclose serious property maintenance and amenity issues when a lease is signed so they can trick tenants into paying more rent than a place is worth.</p> <p>“I think it’s great when outgoing tenants can inform future renters of property defects so they know the issues before they sign the contract. Perhaps there should even be a publicly accessible register where tenants can list maintenance issues that haven’t been rectified in order to hold property managers accountable.</p> <p>“Unfortunately the minor reforms (to minimum housing standards) … won’t do much to address unrectified maintenance issues, because many tenants are still afraid that if they request repairs or make complaints, their lease won’t be renewed.</p> <p>“It’s ridiculous to blame chronic maintenance issues on a shortage of tradies. The problem is that landlords who hoard houses are collecting tens of thousands per year in rent, but don’t care enough about their tenants’ welfare to repair dodgy power points or leaking roofs.”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

“Creepy” detail in rental listing goes viral

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to shared accommodation, dividing your space can be cause for arguments and tension with your housemates. </p> <p dir="ltr">While having to share kitchens, bathrooms and laundries is a plus for splitting rental costs, it can also feel like an invasion of your personal space. </p> <p dir="ltr">One rental listing has taken this space invasion one step further, with a seemingly too-good-to-true listing hiding a major catch in the fine print. </p> <p dir="ltr">An apartment in Melbourne was listed for a measly $70 a week, with many wondering what has caused the low price. </p> <p dir="ltr">The listing for the one bedroom CBD apartment, which was posted on classifieds site Locanto under the “rooms for rent” section, boasts “nice views” in a prime location near Southern Cross Station.</p> <p dir="ltr">The description of the apartment states it would be ideal for someone coming home from an international flight, interstate, or a person living out in the suburbs who doesn’t want to deal with the “long trip home after work”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Better yet, the apartment is fully furnished, with the lister stating anyone wishing to stay would just need “you and your suitcase”.</p> <p dir="ltr">While this may sound ideal for just $10 a night for a short term stay, there is one major catch to the home: you have to share a bed with the owner. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The only catch is there is only one bed so we would need to share this,” the lister states.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am a 36yr old Australian man, professional job, decent and respectful of others, fit body.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Anyone interested in this deal is encouraged by the lister to send him a message with a “brief introduction about you and your situation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The classified site where the man advertised his Melbourne apartment is not a traditional rental website, and with the current rental crisis continuing to worsen, there has been an increase in outrageous listings popping up online.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Locanto</em></p>

Real Estate

Artist puts the lid on rubbish rental prices

<p>In the age of soaring interest rates and a global housing crisis, one young man in the United Kingdom had a wheelie good idea for getting a roof over his head.</p> <p>His solution? Skipping the queues, and moving into a bin.</p> <p>British artist and architect Harrison Marshall was down in the dumpsters when he decided to seize the opportunity, to both raise awareness about those being forced from their homes due to extortionate rent prices in London - and give himself somewhere to stay in the process - by converting an old skip into a tiny home. </p> <p>The Skip House boasts a whole range of features that one might not expect to find in a place so small - 25 square metres, in fact - with the likes of insulted timber framing, a barrel roof capable of fitting a bed, a kitchen hob - the whole set up including a sink, a stove, and a tiny fridge - as well as a wardrobe. </p> <p>And although it took a month since Marshall moved himself in, the skip was eventually connected to the grid, allowing him to warm his tiny property. The home doesn’t have its own flushing toilet or even a shower, but it doesn’t phase Marshall, who makes use of such amenities at work or at the gym. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co22dZwoxaQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co22dZwoxaQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by SKIP House (@theskiphouse)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“With the cost of living at an all time high, and no end in sight, this project is about living for less,” Marshall said of the project on the Skip House’s Instagram, “in one of the most expensive cities in the world, London.</p> <p>“People across the country are changing the way they live to compensate for the rising cost of basic necessities,” he continued. “Living in a skip isn’t the solution, but rather an exploration and a statement.”</p> <p>As Marshall, who now pays approximately $90 a week in rent, told <em>Southwark News</em>, “it seems crazy that people work in the city and can’t afford to live here. Or [that] people who have lived here their whole lives can’t afford to stay here, so they’re having to move out.”</p> <p>He explained that constructing the tiny home was “the only way” for him to continue to live there, and that he hoped to spark a conversation around housing, particularly when it came to unused urban wasteland spots, and how more creative solutions had to be out there. </p> <p>“It also gave quite a good juxtaposition between what you don’t typically think of as a house and almost the polar opposite of that, which is a bin or dumpster,” Marshall told <em>Business Insider</em>, “and how actually that could be turned into something which is relatively cosy and homely.”</p> <p>And as for what his neighbours think about his unusual housing venture, he told<em> Southwark News </em>that he had between 20 and 25 of them show up to his skip-warming, “they’re all super supportive.</p> <p>“People have even seen me doing stuff in the garden and gone to get their tools and come to help out and people around have filled up my hot water bottle.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Renter left “violated” after routine inspection

<p dir="ltr">An Australian renter has sought advice after a routine rental inspection left them feeling violated and uneasy.</p> <p dir="ltr">The tenant, who lives in Western Australia, revealed that the agent took “a ton” of photos, including some of the toilet and inside the oven.</p> <p dir="ltr">Taking to Reddit, they asked whether that level of documentation was allowed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m new to renting in australia (sic) – just had my first routine inspection which involved a ton of photos including inside the oven and the toilet,” they wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Is this legal? I genuinely feel violated. (WA if that matters).”</p> <p dir="ltr">Some responded with suspicion and confusion, questioning whether the number of photos was “intimidation” or whether finding “crumbs in the oven” or “a skid mark in the toilet” would be enough of an issue to inform the landlord.</p> <p dir="ltr">One user explained that the photo of the oven could be used to ensure the tenant was keeping it clean, given the risk of fires starting as a result of grease buildup in dirty ovens.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The photos of the oven be about making sure you’re keeping the oven in a clean order. “Which you should be because having to clean an oven that hasn’t been clean in years is horrible,” they wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, one user revealed that photography was a common practice during inspections and that real estate agents find the task just as much of a chore as renters.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Don’t take it personally, it is common practice among most rentals to take photos of anything and everything, I don’t know about the toilet bowl, that might be specifically related to the photographer, questions you might not want answers to,” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The photos and the completed condition report is then sent to the owner, but they can’t open cupboards or wardrobes and take photos, unless there is visible damage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Side note.. Friend works in real estate doing inspections, it’s no party for them either.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Western Australian law states that, if photos need to be taken during routine property inspections both the agent and the tenant should sight the photos and sign them, as reported by <em>Domain</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, WA’s Consumer Protection also notes that photos shouldn’t “depict anything beyond what is necessary” and that tenants can ask the property manager if photos will be taken so that they can put personal items away.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1879a310-7fff-d6c4-9623-6503226e15ed"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Real Estate

Bargain rental is “spacious” but missing key features

<p dir="ltr">A studio apartment up for rent in Birmingham, England, for less than $850 a month isn’t unusual just for its cheap price - it’s missing some crucial amenities.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4a26e5d2-7fff-aad2-4edd-6e98fbb2a687"><a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126124685#/?channel=RES_LET" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Listed on Rightmove</a> for £425 ($NZ 810) a month, the studio’s shower is located in an unlikely spot, directly opposite the bed.</span></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/cheap-uk-flat1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The prime location of the shower in relation to the bed could be a perk for some, but it's clear screen makes for a lack of privacy. Image: RightMove</em></p> <p dir="ltr">To make matters worse, the shower is encased in a clear cubicle, with no toilet in sight.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2202e8a0-7fff-c3ac-076b-a476d3d72403"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The kitchen, located on the other side of the room, seems to consist of sink and cabinet underneath, a fridge, an oven, and another cabinet above a tile splashback.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/cheap-uk-flat2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The rental's kitchen boasts an oven, two cabinets, a fridge, a sink and a bench (plus an overflowing bin). Image: RightMove</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The apartment, described as “spacious” and “part-furnished”, also includes a single mattress crammed in one corner, with a lounge chair stationed right next to the oven.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though it is just a single room, the listing agent described it as a “great home for single working professionals”.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes just months after a similar apartment in Australia sparked outrage, with many slamming the renovated rental as “real-life satire”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Like its British counterpart, the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/greedy-and-despicable-rental-renovation-causes-outrage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Adelaide studio apartment</a> featured a bathroom with a clear casing - though it does come with a toilet and a shred of privacy in the form of selective frosted glass - but differed in its hefty price amid the city’s worsening rental crisis.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9957ed18-7fff-dbe9-5d8b-a2177f94a35f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: RightMove</em></p>

Real Estate

Rental crisis forces family of five to live in their car

<p dir="ltr">A Queensland family has been forced to live in their car as they struggle to secure a place to live amid the ongoing rental property crisis, per <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-housing-rental-crisis-family-five-forced-live-in-car/14e0dae6-786a-44bf-a507-15ea5e464d05" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shikera Maher of Ipswich, a mother of five, said she had applied for over 300 properties since her lease ended in July last year, and has been rejected by every single one.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since July, she and her family have been living in their car and travelling from park to park.</p> <p dir="ltr">They use a friend’s home to shower and sink hundreds of dollars into fuel each week to run the air conditioning overnight as they try to stay cool.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The two 15-year-olds and 13-year-old, the 18-year-old, sleep in the passenger side and I sleep in the driver’s side,” Ms Maher said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just want a house.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just want my kids to have stability back.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Maher said she hadn’t been blacklisted as a tenant and can afford to pay rent, and the only thing preventing her from finding a place to stay has been the low availability of properties.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There are a few houses where we have even offered more rent,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve even written to (Queensland Premier) Annastacia [Palaszczuk] and said, like, do something.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Tannayah, Ms Maher’s daughter, said she “would die” for a house to call home.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just any house really,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In Ipswich, the rental vacancy rate is currently sitting at just 0.9 percent, and low rental availability has become a particularly pressing issue in the state’s south-east following the recent floods.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ipswich property manager Jaimee Julian said the rental crisis was “out of control” and has resulted in people being willing to pay more just to secure a home.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Insurance companies are willing to pay the six-month rent for tenants,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Stories like Ms Maher’s come after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the best solution for renters was to “help them buy a house” following the Federal Budget reveal.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Ms Maher’s application for social housing has been approved, though she continues to search for a rental property while she remains on the waitlist.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Maher warned others that becoming homeless was more of a real threat than many realised, admitting that she never expected she would become homeless.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Don’t ever say that (it won’t happen) because the housing in Queensland at the moment is shocking.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2c7cec42-7fff-cd68-5fc1-b4962cbf019d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Nine</em></p>

Real Estate

Family left homeless after 227 rejected rental applications

<p dir="ltr">A family of five from Adelaide have been left homeless after being rejected for over 200 rental applications over the span of 18 months.</p> <p dir="ltr">In October 2020, Hayden Coonan, 39, his partner Aimee Kent, 34, and their three young children moved into a home in the south of Adelaide. </p> <p dir="ltr">As soon as they moved in, Hayden and Aimee began looking for another rental, due to the home’s state of disrepair. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It wasn’t long until we started having problems with the house — gas was off, no hot water, burst water pipes,” Mr Coonan told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/renting/adelaide-family-homeless-after-227-applications-for-rental-vacancies-rejected-in-16-months/news-story/ab84488f3e3b4e89d193305aa4bd7f8b">news.com.au</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the couple having a dual income and a spotless rental history, they were knocked back on countless rental applications. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve kept on looking, not getting anywhere, there’s no rhyme or reason [to the rejections],” he added. “You never anticipate it taking this long. It just dragged on and on.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple and their kids were evicted from their property recently on the basis of a no reason termination, although the couple suspect the property’s need for major maintenance could explain the sudden eviction. </p> <p dir="ltr">Now, Hayden, Aimee and their kids are homeless. </p> <p dir="ltr">The family are unable to live in their car or a potential caravan, as their two eldest children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, while the youngest child has a degenerative physical disability.</p> <p dir="ltr">For now, they are staying with Aimee’s mother while they work out a plan. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re there for now. It’s a three-bedroom house, there’s eight of us there,” Mr Coonan said.</p> <p dir="ltr">While applying for properties, Hayden noted that they were often given “glowing references” by a real estate agent, and still got knocked back on a lease. </p> <p dir="ltr">In addition to this, homes would often be leased for much higher than the asking price. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There are properties being advertised for $380 [which is in their price range], they eventually go for $480,” he recalled.</p> <p dir="ltr">As they continue to apply for rental properties, Mr Coonan and Ms Kent have been placed on a high priority list for social housing.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: news.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

As pet owners suffer rental insecurity, perhaps landlords should think again

<p>Pet owners grapple with rental insecurity, new research shows. Despite the popularity of pet ownership across countries such as <a href="http://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pet-Ownership-in-Australia-2013-Summary-ONLINE-VER.pdf">Australia</a> (where 63% of households include a pet), the <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html">United States</a> (62%) and <a href="http://www.pfma.org.uk/pet-population-2014">United Kingdom</a> (46%), rental policy rarely recognises pets as important members of households. Instead, landlords and property agents typically restrict the right to keep pets.</p><p>Reports from animal welfare organisations suggest these policies <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/push-to-make-landlords-respect-renters-right-to-keep-pets/news-story/f6c24acd2c716a20d308fb5dfed5fa3d">make it difficult</a> for pet owners to find rental housing. There is also evidence of connections between rental insecurity and <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/81572944/No-pets-allowed-Rental-restrictions-see-pets-abandoned-and-families-divided">poor animal welfare outcomes</a>. </p><p>Research shows that insecure housing, including difficulties finding pet-friendly rental properties, is a <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/S15327604JAWS0601_04">key factor driving people to relinquish their pets</a>.</p><h2>The ‘no pets’ clause</h2><p><a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02673037.2016.1210095">My research</a> shows that pet ownership can trigger feelings of housing insecurity for renter households. The research involved an open survey with 679 households that had rented with pets in Sydney, as well as 28 in-depth interviews.</p><p>The majority of survey respondents rated finding pet-friendly housing in their suburb as difficult. They perceived that it became more difficult to find rental properties after they acquired their pet. </p><p>About half of those who always declared their pets when they applied for properties had been given pet ownership as the reason their application was rejected. These figures are likely to represent only a small proportion of those who have been rejected for pet ownership as reasons for rejection are rarely provided. </p><p>The <a href="http://www.domain.com.au/news/apartment-rents-continue-to-climb-in-sydney-domain-group-20160713-gq3lwu/">competitive nature of Sydney’s rental market</a>, which gives real estate agents a larger pool of tenants to choose from, was believed to have increased the challenge. A small number of households had even been offered rental housing if they got rid of their pet. These experiences led to a sense of rental insecurity and feelings of stress when participants wanted or needed to move house.</p><h2>Compromising on quality, cost and location</h2><p>In the in-depth interviews, households were asked how they found their current rental property. They explained how long lists of available rental properties would disappear when the “pet-friendly” filter was activated on popular property search websites. </p><p>There was also a widespread perception that advertised pet-friendly housing was of a lower quality than housing that did not allow pets. Many described making compromises on property quality and cleanliness. Some purposefully chose less desirable properties to increase their chance of success.</p><p>For example, one participant stated, "I think they call them ‘pet friendly’ because they don’t really care what happens to them. They’re probably going to pull them down eventually."</p><p>Another explained, "It was quite heartbreaking when you looked at the properties, because they were pretty much all rundown and disgusting. Really sort of dark and dingy, bathrooms that you would see were, I suppose, just not up to scratch. Or houses that seriously probably haven’t had a lick of paint or anything done to them in 20, 30 years."</p><p>Households also made compromises on property location and cost. These choices led to feelings of housing stress. For some it meant living in housing they considered sub-standard, including properties that were unclean or located in undesirable or unsafe areas. A number accepted longer work commutes or greater financial stress to secure a property. </p><p>As one interview participant put it when explaining why they stayed in a neighbourhood they didn’t like, "My car is on the street and it’s been broken into several times and there are a few personal safety issues but they let me have the cat, so..."</p><p>The vast majority of pet owners declared some or all of their pets when applying to rent a property. Those who had previously been rejected for a property because they had a pet were less likely to declare their pets. Why take this risk? </p><p>In-depth interviews suggest that renter households were extremely concerned about housing security: they valued their rental property and wanted to live in it as long as they could. </p><p>However, some felt that they could secure a property only if they didn’t declare their pets. Despite finding it extremely stressful to live in a rental property without permission to kept their pets, these households risked eviction so they could find somewhere to live with their pets.</p><h2>Are landlords’ fears justified?</h2><p>Tenant experiences in the research suggest that landlords are concerned about the risks to their properties that pets might bring. </p><p>Sometimes these concerns are based on real experience. However, there is some evidence to suggest that landlord fears are just that. </p><p>In one <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/089279305785594270">US study</a>, for instance, 63% of landlords who were concerned about pets in their properties didn’t have any firsthand experience of the problems they identified. Further, when damage did occur it was “far less than the average rent or the average pet deposit”.</p><p>Indeed, somewhat counter-intuitively, having a pet-permitting lease may provide more protection for landlords than simply restricting pets. Pet-friendly leases do not mean all pets are automatically allowed. Landlords can ask for a “<a href="http://www.domain.com.au/news/renting-in-sydneys-a-tough-job-a-cv-makes-it-easier-20111021-1mc2d/">pet CV</a>” as well as references for the pet, such as from a local vet, neighbours or former landlord. This is a way of ensuring the pet applicant is appropriate to the property. </p><p>Some jurisdictions in Australia allow for special provisions such as for <a href="http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2010/42">carpets to be steam-cleaned</a> if an animal such as a cat or dog lives at the property. In others, such as in the US and some states <a href="https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/pet-bonds">in Australia</a>, an additional pet bond can be charged to cover any potential damage.</p><p>A pet-friendly lease may even bring benefits. <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/089279305785594270">US research </a>suggests that households with pets stayed in rental properties longer than those that did not have pets. This brings longer-term, more secure rent to property owners. These factors are worth weighing up when landlords are making property management decisions.</p><p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p><p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-pet-owners-suffer-rental-insecurity-perhaps-landlords-should-think-again-63275" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Real Estate

Lleyton and Bec Hewitt’s secret rental hideaway goes under the hammer

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The home Lleyton and Bec Hewitt have been renting has hit the market, after the star couple </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/property/real-estate/bec-and-lleyton-hewitt-list-melbourne-mansion-after-big-investment" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">scored their new home</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> just down the road.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Hewitts rented Burleigh Beach Bungalow in the Gold Coast suburb of Burleigh Waters while waiting to pick up the keys to their new home, The Palms.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Josh and Jess Dickinson, the owners of the bungalow, said they were surprised that the Hewitts wanted to rent their property.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They loved it as well which was nice,” Ms Dickinson </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/inside-secret-gold-coast-rental-home-of-lleyton-and-bec-hewitt/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “You get worried as it’s your own house.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After buying Burleigh Beach Bungalow in 2016, the couple soon went about transforming it into the coastal abode it is today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The property was listed on AirBnb earlier this year, which was how the Hewitts came to discover it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to CoreLogic records, it was listed as a fully furnished property costing $2250 a week.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Its sale is being handled by Troy Fitzgerald, of Ray White Burleigh Group, who confirmed that the celebrity couple moved out just last weekend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When you’re a couple like the Hewitts you’ve got a choice in where you stay and for them to choose the Burleigh Beach Bungalow is a testament to the work Josh and Jess have done,” Mr Fitzgerald said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It really justifies the quality and how nice the house is.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The laid back coastal home is due to go under the hammer next month, and </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://raywhiteburleighgroup.com.au/properties/residential-for-sale/qld/burleigh-waters-4220/house/2619772" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">boasts</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> features such as a poolside entertainment area, hanging rattan pendants and a built-in curved mudroom.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It has also had more than one brush with fame, after being used for photo shoots by big-name brands including Lorna Jane, Michael Hill Jeweller, esme Skin Minerals and Glassons.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Fitzgerald said he was unsure as to whether the Hewitts would move straight into The Palms after reportedly dropping $4.305 million on the coastal home.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Getty Images, Ray White Burleigh Group</span></em></p>

Real Estate

Nicole Kidman’s TV home up for rental as Airbnb

<p>Nicole Kidman is a titan Hollywood actress, and now her TV retreat has been put up on Airbnb!</p> <p>Her latest series,<span> </span><em>9 Perfect Strangers,<span> </span></em>is filled with suspense, mystery and intrigue – all factors of what makes up a perfect TV programme for viewers to dig into while stuck in lockdown.</p> <p>With major Hollywood including Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Asher Keddie, it is no wonder how the show has managed to capture the hearts of a nation.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843777/9-perfect-strangers-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dca9880049c241cea7a426416507e76b" /></p> <p>The unbelievable property, Soma Retreat, is tucked neatly into the Byron Bay hinterland, and has proven to be the perfect backdrop for the characters in the newly released adaption of Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers.</p> <p>Kidman’s character, Masha, runs a mysterious wellness getaway for rich city folk.</p> <p>And now, the owners of the retreat are allowing the public to spend a night at the extraordinary retreat, for $6500 a night.</p> <p>The place can fit up to 16 people and even has a fully fitted space that can be used as a yoga retreat, or an interesting hang out spot.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843781/9-perfect-strangers-7.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ef01a4d5e4d04c63881e4233ec5b5d00" /></p> <p>The rental even has a sauna, magnesium ice bath, and a custom-made Zen garden.</p> <p>Staff and services can be booked at an extra cost too, including massages and meditation courses. </p> <p>In the show, Soma is dubbed Tranquillum House and is touted as a place for people to change their lives for the better.</p>

Real Estate

Top 3 car rental scams you need to be aware of

<p>Planning on renting a car on your next trip away? If you plan on doing your research before hiring a vehicle, then it can be a great investment as it allows you to see sights and scenery on your own accord. But while having your own car for a few days is generally a good idea, there are also scams one should be aware of before booking.</p> <p>Most companies aren’t out there to con you out of your money, but there are a few bad eggs, and this is what you should look out for.</p> <p><strong>1. Overdue rental scam</strong></p> <p>While it’s known that a heavy penalty fee occurs if you drop off the car after the so-called agreed drop-off time, many times companies conveniently leave out important information – such as returning the car by noon. This is why it’s important to read the fine print and checking with the clerk before driving off.</p> <p><strong>2. Compulsory insurance fee scam</strong></p> <p>If you own a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card then chances are your provider automatically covers you for insurance. But in saying that, many customers are being coerced into paying hefty insurance fees, which is why you should check with your credit card company before tapping the EFTPOS machine.</p> <p><strong>3. The GPS scam</strong></p> <p>Let’s be honest, in this day and age with a smartphone at everyone’s fingertips, there is no need to pay extra for a GPS. While it’s an easy upsell, you don’t have to be out of pocket for a feature that’s available on your mobile phone. And if you’re worried about running out of data, you can pre-map routes before heading off on your trip.</p> <p><strong>And don’t forget…</strong></p> <p>It seems like a no-brainer to go for the cheapest car rental company you can find, but just remember, that isn’t always a good thing. Many times, you can be sucked into paying hidden fees which result in a huge price bump. Also, don’t forget to keep petrol receipts and photograph any damage to the car before leaving the rental lot.</p>

Travel Tips

8 budget-friendly ways to personalise your rental home

<p>If you're one of the many who are living in a rented home or apartment, it can feel like an impossible task to personalise your home without upsetting your landlord or your wallet.</p> <p>Don't let rental restrictions stop you from creating a home that feels like yours. Here are eight affordable ideas to help you create your dream home.</p> <p><strong>1. Faux finishes </strong></p> <p>Auckland-based renter, Andrea Warmington, didn't let living in a rental stop her from creating a stylish home. </p> <p>"Sheet vinyl is an affordable way to change your floors; I bought "Cajou Oak" vinyl from Bunnings for my kitchen and bathroom," Warmington said. "It's not even stuck down - once cut to fit, it sits on top of your existing floors without slipping."</p> <p>Want to cover a plain benchtop? Invest in removable contact paper or add a rustic touch to your home by covering an ugly bench with large chopping boards. Not only is this incredibly practical when it comes time to cook, but it can also easily be moved from house to house. </p> <p><strong>2. Lean instead of hang </strong></p> <p>Leaning art against a wall can look chic and easy to move to a new location if you ever feel like redecorating.</p> <p>For art-lovers who are renting but still want to show off their collection, simply leaning art against a wall is a chic and easy way to display their favourite pieces without having to put any nails in the wall.</p> <p>"It doesn't matter if you can't hang it up; I bought some long, low bookshelves for my living room that serve double-duty as a shelf for displaying framed prints and posters."</p> <p>Bonus: this rental-hack makes it easier to move your art to a new location (without having to worry about precisely lining up the piece on the wall) if you ever feel like redecorating. </p> <p><strong>3. Invest in nice things </strong></p> <p>You don't need to wait until you move into your dream home to invest in beautiful furniture.</p> <p>Warmington decided to invest in her dream couch to make her plain Mt Eden rental feel like a home soon after she moved in. However, she said great furniture doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.</p> <p>"I bought the wooden buffet in my living room for $80 on Trade Me, then painted it using an Indian inlay stencil set."</p> <p><strong>4. Inject colour </strong></p> <p>Add colour to your home without painting the walls by either investing in brightly coloured decor or sprucing up some of your pre-exisitng pieces with some DIY. </p> <p>"I spruced up some bamboo baskets with orange paint and painted the frame of an old mirror bright pink," Warmington said. "You could also paint your furniture; the teal, orange and gold cabinet in my living room was once a utilitarian grey."</p> <p><strong>5. Go Green</strong></p> <p>Indoor plants can bring life to even the dreariest of rentals. They purify the air, add texture and are a great way to add greenery to your home if you don't have access to a garden. </p> <p><strong>6. Soften things up </strong></p> <p>You don't need to put up with the awful, old curtains that have probably been hanging in your rental house for the past 10 years. </p> <p>"I swapped the plain curtains in my living room and bedroom for some delicately-patterned linen curtains," Warmington said.</p> <p>What should you do with the original curtains? Take a leaf out of Warmington's book and save yourself from having to replace them by "carefully storing the original curtains so they can be put back when I move out". </p> <p><strong>7. Rug up </strong></p> <p>A simple way to add warmth to your home, as well as showcasing your personality and design tastes, is by investing in rugs.</p> <p>With a wide variety of rugs on the market that cater to all tastes and budgets, this addition to the home can be as practical as it is stylish. </p> <p><strong>8. Decals instead of wallpaper </strong></p> <p>Want to bring some excitement to your walls without worrying about casing any damage? Decals are a great solution that is both stylish and easily removable. </p> <p>Feeling crafty? Julie Stuart, the founder of Clever Poppy, created a chic and affordable DIY feature wall in her daughter's nursery by using washi tape. </p> <p><em>Written by Natalia Didovich. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

Woman finds generous surprise in rental DVD

<p>Liz, a Texas nursing student, uploaded photos of a surprise gift of $100 that her mum found inside a DVD that she rented. Her mother had rented a copy of the film Deepwater Horizon from a Redbox rental kiosk.</p> <p>Liz wrote on Twitter, “My mum was just hoping to relax and enjoy a movie, but instead God blessed her with more.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">My mom was just hoping to relax &amp; enjoy a movie, but instead God blessed her with more. Marcos whoever you are, God bless you. <a href="https://twitter.com/redbox">@redbox</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jxk6uzjwZ0">pic.twitter.com/Jxk6uzjwZ0</a></p> — Liz ❤️ (@lifeaslizz__) <a href="https://twitter.com/lifeaslizz__/status/825219838775848961">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>The gift was from a man named Marcos who gives away $100 once a month as an act of charity.</p> <p>In the letter, he wrote, “Every month I take $100 that I’d normally spend on myself and give it away to a stranger. This month, I decided to change it up and put it in a Redbox DVD.”</p> <p>He ended the letter by saying, “I just ask that you put the money to good use. If you don’t need it, give it away. If you need it, keep it. Have a great day!”</p>

Movies

8 tips for getting cheap rental cars overseas

<p>Want to squeeze in one last road trip for the summer but you're on a tight budget?</p> <p>No problem. Renting a car is only expensive if you get sucked into buying unnecessary add-ons or get stung by unexpected fees. Follow these eight steps, and you won't have to watch your travel cash go up in a cloud of smoke.</p> <p><strong>1. Check for free rides</strong></p> <p>Most companies offer free or discounted trips to anyone willing to relocate their vehicles back to depots where they're needed. They don't promote this much, but you can browse listings on RentalCarRelocation, iMoova and Transfercar. Often they'll even throw in a few sweeteners, like free insurance and a full tank of gas. There are some strings attached, and you have to be flexible with dates and locations, but it's well worth checking out. Read more here.</p> <p><strong>2. Shop around</strong></p> <p>Assuming you can't score a freebie, use price comparison websites such as Kayak, Travelocity and Expedia to compare hundreds of cars at once. Double-check the main operators' websites, too – sometimes they have special promotions that don't get picked up by the aggregators.</p> <p><strong>3. Think small</strong></p> <p>Do you really need a huge 4WD to traverse the wild terrain of Wellington? Rental car operators always try to upsell you to a bigger vehicle, because they can charge literally twice as much. Stick with a popular compact car. There's only a certain number available, so if they run out they'll often upgrade you for free anyway.</p> <p><strong>4. Avoid airports</strong></p> <p>The convenience of throwing your luggage straight from the carousel into the boot of the car comes at a price. The big companies charge $40 or more for airport or ferry terminal pickups, so it may be better to get a shuttle into town or a nearby depot.</p> <p><strong>5. Take a video</strong></p> <p>There's a popular scam in Southeast Asia where tourists rent dirt-cheap scooters, only to be charged for all the pre-existing dings and scrapes when they return them. Major car companies overseas do the same thing, but wait to charge your card for the alleged damage until you're back home. Always take a detailed video of the vehicle's condition before you drive off the forecourt, and if possible, make sure the operator sees you do it.</p> <p><strong>6. Don't pay to reduce your excess</strong></p> <p>Rental companies charge huge excesses of $3000 or more for any damage, even for crappy cars that would barely even be worth that much. They then offer you a daily add-on "peace of mind" fee to reduce it to a less extortionate level. Don't fall for this. First, check if your credit card company or your travel insurance automatically covers rental excess fees. If not, it'll almost certainly be cheaper to buy coverage from a specialist insurer.</p> <p><strong>7. Bring your own</strong></p> <p>Hiring a car seat for your grandkids will set you back an extra $10 – $15 a day, which means it's better to bring your own if you can. Many airlines are family-friendly, and will let you check in a car seat for free. The GPS up-sell is another classic trick, but it's redundant in the smartphone age. Even if you're overseas and don't have data, just download the relevant areas on the Maps.me or Google Maps app beforehand, and you can navigate anywhere while offline.</p> <p><strong>8. Go slow</strong></p> <p>Once you're finally ready to hit the road, take it easy on the accelerator. Getting pinged with a speeding ticket or fine while on holiday is a pain. Getting pinged another $40 or $50 by the rental company for having to pass on the costs and any offence notices rubs salt in the wound. Navigating the tricky rental car industry can be enough to send anyone around the bend.</p> <p>Follow these steps and always read the fine print, and you won't end up blowing a gasket. What are your other tips for renting cars? Share your experiences in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Richard Meadows. First appeared on <strong><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span>.</a></strong></em></p>

Travel Tips