Momentum toward scrapping no-ground evictions will continue

The New South Wales Council for Social Service has vowed to continue the fight to scrap no-ground evictions after an amendment to make the reform failed in the NSW Upper House today.

NCOSS chief executive Joanna Quilty said the setback was disappointing, but improving the rights of tenants was now firmly on the agenda for the upcoming state election.

"Housing affordability will be a major issue in the upcoming state election and NCOSS will be pushing hard because it's so important," said Ms Quilty.

"A third of New South Wales households now rent and almost half of these are homes for children.

"Under the current regime, children can be forced to move out of their home, away from their friends, even change school at the whim of a landlord.

In NSW, a landlord can evict a tenant without grounds with just 30 days’ notice at the end of their fixed-term lease, or with just 90 days’ notice during an on-going lease.

“This Residential Tenancies Amendment contains excellent initiatives around no penalties for domestic violence victims who break leases, set fees for breaking a fixed-term lease, limiting rent increases to once a year and minimum standards to property. The retention of no-grounds evictions threatens to undermine these important reforms for renters," Ms Quilty said.

"Every time a tenant thinks about asking for repairs or questions a rent increase, they've got to weigh it against whether this might see them kicked out of their home.

"No-grounds evictions systematically undermine a tenant's other rights. It discourages them from raising concerns that they're entitled to raise.

"NCOSS is determined to put housing affordability front and centre during the 2019 NSW election, and that includes improving the rights of tenants.

"Renting must be a stable, long-term option for those without the means to buy a suitable home. Removing no-grounds evictions is a critical step on the path to securing that future."

Media contact: Suze Metherell 0412 867 084