Member Spotlight: Central Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service

Sidonie Shaw is a Manager at the Central Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, which was nominated for an NCOSS Excellence, Vision and Advocacy Award last year.

1.    Tell me about how housing stress is impacting people living on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service receives calls everyday from tenants who have received a rent increase notice or a termination notice and they are fearful that they will be unable to pay the increased rent or find alternative and suitable accommodation. Tenants are worried that they will become homeless due to the lack of affordable rentals on the Central Coast. Since before Covid, the Coast has seen a vacancy rate of less than 2%, and often much lower. Currently it is 1.8%.

There was an influx of tenants moving out of Sydney during Covid as the rents were cheaper, which impacted on the availability of properties for locals. It remains the same now. Tenants who are paying less than the average rent on the Coast ($650p/w for a house and $550 for a unit) are struggling to find anything that is affordable. Share housing is an option however that brings with it its own challenges. Tenants who receive a termination notice are at risk of homelessness. The changes to the Residential Tenancies Act and the removal of No Ground terminations was seen as a huge step forward in upholding tenants rights. However, we have seen an increase in the issuing of termination due to renovations, where the actual renovations are questionable, and the obligation rests with the vacating tenant to dispute the grounds.

We are aware of tenants who are paying more than 50% of their income to keep a roof over their families heads. This is not sustainable and can lead to tenants falling into arrears. It is not a simple, find something else, as there are very few options for something else in the region. The cost of living impacts tenants who often have to choose between paying rent or paying electricity or food.

2.    How did you help tenants at El Lago win protection for themselves?

El Lago is a registered holiday tourist park that has been operating as a permanent caravan park. CCTAAS has been advocating for the residents (those that own their homes and rent the sites), and tenants (those that rent a unit) of El Lago since October 2024, where the park operator issued all the occupants invalid termination notices.

NCAT orders found the residents were covered under the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act. These orders gave the residents stronger rights to protect their site agreements. Importantly for the residents, those rights include a process that the park operator is required to follow should the park operator decide to close the park and terminate their site agreements. Those rights include a 12-month termination notice and compensation payable by the park operator. The residents of El Lago have attended every Tribunal Hearing (four hearings including the formal renewal of proceedings held 04/03/2026) and have had the opportunity to have their say and feel heard. It was important for the residents to be able to raise the issues of the deterioration of the park and have orders made in their favour. The service has advocated and coordinated meetings between the residents and Homes NSW, Council, Fair Trading and importantly an increase in media and an awareness which has led to a change in perception from the community of the residents living in the park.

Changing the perception of the community is important to allow the residents to have some pride in their homes. Whilst the matters are still ongoing through NCAT as the park operator has not complied with the NCAT Orders, the residents now have the confidence to raise their concerns without the fear of being terminated without due process.

3.    Beyond giving legal advice, you also advocate publicly for political change when it comes to tenants’ rights. Why is addressing these broader systemic issues so important? 

As a service that speaks with tenants on a daily basis and hears the stories and situations that tenants find themselves in, due to the legislation, it is important that there is a voice that can advocate and represent them. Where speaking out can risk the roof over your head, it is imperative that there are services and spokespersons who can speak for you and advocate for change.

The review of the Residential Tenancies Act and the major changes that occurred in May 2025 was due to over 20 years of advocacy by tenants advocates, and stakeholders on behalf of tenants in NSW. Tenants rights are stronger now than previously and whilst there is still a way to go, advocating for the disadvantaged and vulnerable, and giving a balance to the power imbalance that previously existed between tenants and owners and real estate agents is of major importance as a role of an advocate. Giving tenants a voice empowers them to advocate for themselves.