Tenancy & Living

Renting Matters: Episode 4 - Hit the road Jack

A transcript of this podcast can be found here - https://docdro.id/R5F7tyF
This is the fourth episode in our series called Renting Matters, which explores all aspects of tenancy and other living arrangements, such as boarding or lodging and living in a Land Lease Community in NSW. This series is a joint project between the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales (“TU”) and Legal Aid NSW.
In this episode, “Hit the road Jack”, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to guests about how a landlord can end a tenancy, including the notice a landlord must give for different types of tenancy.  Bridget speaks to Justin, Assistant Principal Solicitor at Marrickville Legal Centre and to Amanda and Alison, Solicitors working in the Housing and Tenancy service at Redfern Legal Centre about the issues tenants experience when a landlord ends their tenancy.  Justin, Alison and Amanda explain when a tenant must leave after they receive a notice of termination. There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can help clients whose landlord is ending their tenancy.
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
Tenants’ Union of New South Wales tenants.org.au - Look for the tiles on Eviction and on Share Houses, boarders and lodgers.
You can also enter your own or your client’s postcode at the bottom of the pages of the Tenants’ Union website to find your closest local tenancy service.
On the Tenants’ Union website are these fact sheets and resources:
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-10-landlord-ends-agreement
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-28-sale-of-rented-premises
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-21-mortgagees-and-tenants
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-03-bond
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-05-rent-arrears
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-17-discrimination
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-11-nsw-civil-and-administrative-tribunal
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-19-tenant-databases
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-25-goods-left-behind
https://www.tenants.org.au/resource/easy-way-claim-your-bond
https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-11-nsw-civil-and-administrative-tribunal
and sample letters:
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/rent-arrears
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/termination-sale
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/termination-inspection
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/bond-dispute
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/lockout 
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/lockout-threat
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/lockout-sharehousing
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/rent-increase-sharehousing
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/transfer-consent-withheld
https://www.tenants.org.au/sample/transfer-of-co-tenancy-agreement
For information about changing the locks:
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/during-a-tenancy/health,-safety-and-security 
Marrickville Legal Centre: https://www.mlc.org.au/
Contact numbers for the Inner West Tenancy Service and North Sydney Tenancy Service are found here: https://www.mlc.org.au/services/tenancy/
Redfern Legal Centre: https://rlc.org.au/
For information on Redfern Legal Centre’s tenancy and housing services look here:
https://rlc.org.au/our-services/tenancy-housing
LawAccess 1300 888 529 has useful information and links on its website about tenancy:
https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Search.aspx?k=Tenancy%20LALanguage%3Den%2a&lang=0 
 
Music: Fata Morgana by Yemanjo
Editing by Yasmine Lewis from Legal Aid NSW
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Renting Matters: Episode 3 - Get me outta here

Click here for a transcript of this podcast.
This is the third episode in our series called “Renting Matters”, which explores all aspects of tenancy and other living arrangements, such as boarding or lodging and living in a Land Lease Community in NSW. This series is a joint project between the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales (“TU”) and Legal Aid NSW.
In this episode, “Get me outta here”, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to guests about the different circumstances in which tenants leave a tenancy. Bridget speaks to Amanda , a Tenants’ Advocate with the Northern Rivers Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service (NORTAAS) about these situations, including leaving because of domestic violence. We also hear from Jemima, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator with the TU who talks about getting your bond back. There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can support clients leaving because of domestic violence and for other reasons.
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode, including resources about domestic and family violence.
Tenants’ Union of New South Wales tenants.org.au - Look for the tile on You want to leave or for lots more resources, click here.
 
On the Tenants’ Union website are these fact sheets and resources:
You want to leave
Sale of rented premises
Ending tenancy early
Domestic violence and tenancy
Transfer and sub-letting
Sale of rented premises
Mortgagees and tenants
Bond
NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Tenant databases
Goods left behind
The easy way to claim your bond
Sample letters:
Rehousing support letter
Ending a fixed term tenancy
Termination for no reason
Ending tenancy early
Ending tenancy due to sale of premises
Transfer of tenancy document
Request for consent to transfer co-tenancy 
Transfer of co-tenancy - consent withheld
Request for joint final inspection 
Bond dispute
Ending tenancy due to domestic violence
 
RESOURCES RELATED TO DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence call 1800RESPECT. 1800 737 732.
This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
For information about changes to the Residential Tenancies Act about domestic violence and emergency accommodation:
Domestic Violence Amendments to Residential Tenancies Act
Emergency accommodation information 
See the Fair Trading website for declaration by a competent person about domestic violence and for information about who is a “competent person”:
Declaration by competent person
Professionals who make a declaration
For information about changing the locks for security when a co-tenant has left due to domestic violence, click here.
 
Services:
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service
Northern Rivers Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (NORTAAS)
Victims Services for counselling, financial assistance for immediate needs or to apply for a recognition payment
Victims Access Line: 1800 633 063         
  Aboriginal Contact Line: 1800 019 123
LawAccess 1300 888 529 has useful information and links on its website about applying for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order here and about tenancy here
 
For information about Men’s behaviour change program MEND - Men exploring New Directions see:
Music: Fata Morgana by Yemanjo
Editing by Tiffany Dimmack and Glen Morrow from Audiocraft
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Renting Matters: Episode 2 - Cracks Emerge

A transcript of this episode can be found here. 
This is the second episode in our series called “Renting Matters”, which explores all aspects of tenancy and other living arrangements, such as boarding or lodging and living in a Land Lease Community in NSW. This series is a joint project between the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales (“TU”) and Legal Aid NSW.
In this episode, “Cracks Emerge”, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch explores problems that arise during a tenancy, including issues about privacy; access to the property by the landlord or agent; repairs; security and utilities. We speak to Olivia, a Tenants’ Advocate with the TU, about the sorts of issues people call the TU and other tenancy services about once they are in a tenancy. We also speak to Merrilyn, who volunteers on the TU advice line and who also works supporting clients with disabilities, including supporting them to maintain their tenancies when problems arise. There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can help clients address issues that arise during a tenancy.
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
Tenants’ Union of New South Wales tenants.org.au - Look for the tiles on Repairs and utilities and Privacy, access and security .
You can also enter your or your client’s postcode at the bottom of the pages of the Tenants’ Union website to find your closest local tenancy service.
On the Tenants’ Union website are these fact sheets:
Bond
Repairs and Maintenance
Locks and security
Access and privacy
NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Smoke Alarms
Disaster Damage
Utilities
Mould
Asbestos and Lead
Access
Sample Letters
Repairs Before Tenancy
Repairs
Urgent Repairs
Reimbursement for urgent repairs
Repairs to be carried out by owners corp
Unpaid water charges
Invalid water usage - efficiancy
Rent reduction
For Pests & vermin see the Fair Trading website.
For information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme see:
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
For information on Embedded Networks:
Embedded network consumer | Australian Energy Regulator (aer.gov.au)
Embedded networks on ABC's 7.30 Report | Tenants' Union
Tenants' Union embedded network blog post “Hummmmm” 
LawAccess 1300 888 529 has useful information and links on its website about tenancy:
 
Music: Fata Morgana by Yemanjo
Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Renting Matters: Episode 1 - Getting a Foot in the Door

This is the first episode in a series called Renting Matters, which explores all aspects of tenancy and other living arrangements, such as boarding or lodging and living in a Land Lease Community in NSW. This series is a joint project between the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales and Legal Aid NSW.
In this episode, Getting A Foot in the Door, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch explores applying for a new tenancy in NSW. We speak to Grant Arbuthnot, Principal Solicitor of the Tenants’ Union about things to look out for when you are starting a tenancy. We also speak to Amity, a tenant in Sydney who has been renting for many years and has some great tips about looking for a new place to rent. There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can help clients looking for a new place to live.
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
Tenants’ Union of New South Wales tenants.org.au - Look for the tile on Starting a Tenancy.
You can also enter your or your client’s postcode at the bottom of the pages of the Tenants’ Union website to find your closest local tenancy service.
On the Tenants’ Union website are these useful resources and fact sheets about applying for a tenancy:
Factsheet 01: The Residential Tenancies Act
Factsheet 02: Starting a tenancy
Factsheet 03: Bond
The Rent Tracker Tool
See Legal Aid’s website for information about when clients can get help with housing matters:
Legal help for tenants appealing Tribunal orders about your housing - Legal Aid NSW
LawAccess 1300 888 529 has useful information and links on its website about tenancy:
https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Search.aspx?k=Tenancy%20LALanguage%3Den%2a&lang=0 
 
Music: Fata Morgana by Yemanjo
Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
For a transcript of this podcast, click here.