Bondi tenants fight back

Issue 

Bondi tenants fight back

BY DANIEL JARDINE

SYDNEY — Rent increases of 20-30% in the Bondi area in the last two years prompted 100 local residents to attend the June 21 launch of a new video from the Eastern Area Tenants Service (EATS), Against the Tide: Bondi Tenants Fight Back.

The state Labor government denies any connection between the Olympics and rent increases, but the two areas most affected by significant rent increases are Bondi and Homebush, both sites of major Olympics facilities.

A large number of leases in Bondi have been terminated in recent months. Under NSW tenancy laws, a landlord is not required to give any reason for evicting a tenant, regardless of how long the tenant has been living there. Many residents described the shock of receiving a notice stating that they had 60 days to move out.

The video portrays the inspiring stories of people who have refused to accept their evictions, despite the possibility of ending up on real estate agents' black list.

Tim Burns, one of makers of the film, described how he was given a no-grounds termination after 15 years in his Bondi unit. He organised others in his block and, with the support of EATS and Legal Aid, went all the way to the Supreme Court to finally beat the eviction.

Annette Wade of EATS said the group hears from only about a 10th of the tenants who face eviction or excessive rent increases in the area. Rentwatchers' Beth Jewell said landlords and agents are assisted by some of the worst tenancy laws in the world.

The meeting called for a range of amendments to the residential tenancy act, including provisions to ensure that rent increases do not exceed the inflation rate, occur no more than once a year and must be shown by the landlord to be necessary. The meeting supported calls to also include boarders and lodgers in the act's provisions.

For copies of the video and information about further activities, phone EATS on 9386 9147.

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