Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
Independent review into Queensland Building and Construction Commission recommends overhaul of regulator's structure and culture
Ciara Jones and Alex Brewster ABC (No paywall)Just six months after moving in, cracks started to form in Jashneil Kumar's newly built home in Brisbane's north. After the builder denied responsibility to rectify the issue, Mr Kumar contacted the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), which claimed the cracking was within reason and he would have to cover the cost of repairs.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-30/queensland-building-and-c…
# Australia, Housing market, Minimum habitability standards.$275pw Bondi room slammed over 'joke' feature
Carly Bass (No paywall)Scoring a room to call your own just "moments" away from Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach might be what some consider the ideal living situation. But one "large room" being advertised for $275 a week might not be all it's talked up to be, despite its sought-after location. ... The Tenants’ Union of NSW CEO Leo Patterson Ross said these photos are "unclear and misleading" but unfortunately it's a sign of the times. "This is really a clear indication of just how chaotic our rental system is, and how disconnected it is from the expectations of the community," he told Yahoo News Australia. "Using perspective to give the impression of a larger room than it likely is." (yahoo!news)
https://au.news.yahoo.com/bondi-room-rent-slammed-joke-feature-0…
# TUNSW in the media NSW, Rent, Minimum habitability standards.Detail on Melbourne property listing called out - but can you spot why?
Tara Meakins (No paywall)An odd detail on a Melbourne real estate listing has set tongues wagging online. In a post shared on reddit, one user claims the real estate company “really tried their best” but followers have called out the “unrealistic edits" made to the backyard of the home. “Do they not want people to know that leaves fall off trees?” a person questioned. “Is it a secret?”
https://au.news.yahoo.com/melbourne-property-listing-called-out-…
# Australia, Rent, Landlords and agents.Airbnb has permanently banned parties at its listings. Here's what to know before you book
Dannielle Maguire ABC (No paywall)Airbnb has permanently banned all parties from its holiday rentals, extending a set of measures that were put in place to stop large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's what you need to know before making your next booking.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-01/airbnb-party-ban-booking-…
# Australia, Coronavirus COVID-19, Short-term holiday letting.‘The property market is disgraceful’: why bosses are renting homes to staff
Suzanne Bearne The Guardian (No paywall)From Scotland ... Some bosses are taking action amid claims sites such as Airbnb are pricing workers out of housing. Kevin McGhee doesn’t want to become a residential landlord but the publican feels he has been left with no choice. With his staff often struggling to find accommodation, the owner of three pubs in Edinburgh is hunting for a two-bedroom flat to buy to accommodate his employees. ... The House of Lords is currently running an inquiry into short-term lettings, weighing up whether to propose legislation for a licensing scheme in England. In Wales, the government is making it less attractive to own a second home with council tax premiums on such properties set to increase to 300% from April 2023, while the number of days holiday homes must be let before being liable for council tax will increase.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/jul/02/property-market-bo…
# International, Rent, Housing affordability, Housing market, Landlords and agents, Short-term holiday letting, Work, employment.Ofsted-style inspections will not happen, says ITV journalist behind repairs investigation
Grainne Cuffe Inside Housing (Paywall)Ofsted-style inspections of social landlords will “not happen” and changes to the English regulator and sector’s culture are most important to implementing widespread improvements, the journalist who led ITV’s 18-month investigation into poor social housing conditions has said.
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/home/ofsted-style-inspectio…
# International, Public and community housing, Repairs.Air flows, draught sealing and double glazing: how homeowners can retrofit houses for warmth
Christopher Knaus The Guardian (No paywall)Methods of keeping living spaces warm range from cheap gap-sealing to expensive double-glazing, but the first step is to find and see the problem
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jul/03/air-flows…
# Australia, Utilities water energy internet, Minimum habitability standards.How much does it cost to buy a home in the world’s most liveable cities?
Melissa Heagney Domain (No paywall)The world’s most liveable cities have a lot in common: great cultural experiences, a walkable environment, and healthcare and education options. Many also have highly desirable property markets that boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people looked to work from home.
https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/how-much-does-it-cost-to-bu…
# International, Housing market, International.