Rights & Roofs: TAAS Conference 2025

A few weeks ago, Tenant Advocates from across NSW came together for the annual Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service (TAAS) Conference. We met in Albury on unceded Wiradjuri Country for 3 days of learning, listening, and discussion. Each year the Tenants' Union of NSW organises the conference as part of our commitment to resourcing the TAAS Network. 

A major focus of the conference this year was the recent changes to residential tenancies law. We discussed the changes, what advocates have been seeing and hearing from renters, and what we are moving towards. 

Each year we also take time to learn about and pay respect to the Country we are on, and to the Aboriginal custodians on the land. We were privileged to be welcomed to Wiradjuri by Auntie Edna Stewart and learn about Wiradjuri Culture and Language from Auntie Ruth Davis. Some conference participants were also lucky to make it to the beautiful Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk along the banks of the Murray River.

The conference opening session set the scene and challenged us to think of 'Housing as a Human Right'. We heard from special guests the Hon Kevin Bell AO KC, and Professor Jessie Hohmann of UTS. They spoke about how powerful and reasonable it is to view housing as a human right. The right to housing means the right to live in peace, dignity and security, and the right to adequate housing – not mere shelter. All people (including renters!) have this right – even if our governments tend to 'forget' about it. Governments have a responsibility to make sure that this right is not violated – that all people are housed. Housing must first and foremost meet human needs – not be a vehicle for investment and wealth generation for a minority. The guest speakers called on us all to organise for, work towards, and demand the human right to housing.  

Conference participants also discussed changes to land lease community laws, repairs in social housing, developing advocate skills, and the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). Advocates brainstormed and shared ideas on how to write effective consent orders, and how to deal with common challenges that come up at the Tribunal. Other legal and policy updates included recent changes to the law around domestic violence and renting, and progress on shared accommodation and boarding houses.

The conference also heard from NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones and Simonn Stratton of Homes NSW sharing developments across government departments.

Every year, we celebrate the work of the committed tenant advocates – from stellar performances negotiating or advocating for renters in and out of the tribunal, and contributing to our law reform and policy work. Congratulations to the advocates recognised from the Hunter TAAS, Northern Aboriginal TAAS, Murra Mia Western Aboriginal TAAS, Eastern Area Tenants Service, New England and Western TAAS, and Greater Sydney Aboriginal TAAS for taking out awards – and congratulations to all nominees!

Conference participants also took part in a photo action in support of the Australian Services Union Skilled Respected Equal campaign. 

Thank you so much to the advocates that travelled to Wiradjuri Country, tuned in online, and to the ones that couldn't make it, past and present, thank you for your tireless work, passion and dedication to a better renting future and all your work put in to fight the good fight! We look forward to continuing to fight for change alongside you for many more years to come.