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
Greens announce plan to end homelessness & fix housing crisis
Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick New Zealand Greens Party (No paywall)The Green Party has announced today their new campaign A Home for Everybody, calling to end homelessness, fix renter’s rights, and end the housing crisis once and for all. “In a country like Aotearoa, with our wealth of resources and skills, there is no excuse for people to go without a decent home, let alone any home at all,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “In 2022, 46% of renting households spent more than 30% of their income on rent, compared to 19% of renters in 1988. Since 2003, house prices have increased by 230%, while the median household income has only increased by 137%.”
https://www.greens.org.nz/greens_announce_plan_to_end_homelessne…
# International, Rent.Fair go for renters in tax reform
Tenants' Union of NSW (No paywall)Renters deserve stable, affordable homes - not a system that rewards property portfolios.
Right now, property investors are getting billions in tax breaks through negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount but renters aren't getting much in return. The Federal Budget is just weeks away and these tax breaks are under debate right now. Politicians are hearing loudly from the property lobby. They need to hear from renters too. Send a message to your MP using the template below to get started. You can edit the message or write your own. Every email makes a difference.
New advice to Aussie renters to tackle $2,300 landlord issue: 'Avoidable'
Kamilia Palu Yahoo News (No paywall)Almost a quarter of renters in one Aussie state are losing out on part of their bond money at the end of their lease, with one in 10 tenants losing the entire amount — on average, more than $2,300. While most renters get their bond back in full, Tenants' Union NSW says "too many" are losing their money for reasons that are "avoidable". The union has now unleashed a new weapon for renters to keep in their back pockets — a complete guide to protecting your bond and how to claim it back as soon as you've returned the keys.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/new-advice-to-aussie-renters-to-tackle…
# Must read, TUNSW in the media NSW, Bond, Public and community housing, Starting a tenancy.Victim-survivor's 'demoralising' efforts to secure safe social housing
Isabella Ross ABC (No paywall)A young woman who fled her family home to escape domestic violence, only to experience separate threats and harassment while in social housing, is calling on the state government to assist in her effort to find stable, suitable accommodation. Laura, whose name has been changed for privacy reasons, had received a social housing property in Western Sydney after escaping a family member, who she now has an active apprehended violence order (AVO) against. She was relieved to have found a safe space, or so she thought.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-20/domestic-violence-victim-…
# TUNSW in the media NSW, Domestic violence, Public and community housing, Security and safety.Why tenants say they can't trust the photos on rental property listings anymore
Maddison Leach 9 News (No paywall)Plenty of Australians know how it feels to spot a promising rental listing only to realise the photos were edited as soon as they arrive at an inspection. Now AI is making it easier for landlords and agents to enhance or overhaul property photos and it's making the already stressful process of finding housing even harder. "It's crazy the number of inspections I've gone to that look nothing like the pictures," Emma*, who is hunting for a rental in Sydney, told nine.com.au.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/ai-real-estate-photos-is-it-le…
# Hot topic, TUNSW in the media NSW, AI, Starting a tenancy.NSW government to begin testing Smart Rental Bonds system ahead of mid-2026 launch
Miriah Davis ABC (No paywall)An initiative that could save renters in New South Wales the stress of having to scrape together thousands of dollars for their next move will launch in mid-2026 after months of delays. The Smart Rental Bonds system will allow for the digital transfer of a bond from one property to another, alleviating renters of the financial stress of having to come up with another bond before their old one is returned. The scheme was announced as part of a suite of rental reforms that the NSW Labor Party took to the 2023 state election.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-23/nsw-premier-provides-upda…
# Must read, TUNSW in the media NSW, Bond, Starting a tenancy.Transferable Bonds To Bring Cost Of Living Relief To Tenants In NSW
Channel 10 (No paywall)The state election is still a year away, but One Nation's success in South Australia is a threat being felt in NSW. However, Premier Chris Minns says he's up for the challenge, today showing the 2.3 million renters in New South Wales what his Government is doing to help them.
https://10.com.au/news/national/transferable-bonds-to-bring-cost…
# Hot topic, TUNSW in the media, Video NSW, Bond, Rent, Starting a tenancy.'It's pretty shit': The reality of living in Wollongong's dunes for six months
Natalie Croxon Illawarra Mercury (Paywall)As homelessness workers from across the state gathered in Wollongong on Wednesday, William Stephenson was getting ready for his day in a makeshift camp in the dunes a little over a kilometre away. He has lived there for at least six months, after a break-up led him to leave the home he shared with his former partner. The expected wait time for public housing in Wollongong is at least 10 years, and Mr Stephenson has tried repeatedly to secure a private rental. "I think they just look at me and think 'Nah, won't give it to him'," Mr Stephenson said.
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/9195571/man-living-in-…
# NSW, Public and community housing.