Have the bells started ringing yet? Have you had a bad landlord experience? During my trials and tribulations, I bitched and moaned to all my friends. More often than not, their eyes would glaze over while they politely feigned interest. Did the same happen to you?
But my friends did share a few stories. One friend told me about the time she had a peeking tom for a landlord. He used to peek in her windows at night after she came home from work.
Another friend told me about the time he moved into a house which had a very, very bad mould problem. The landlord had inserted a non-standard clause making mould removal the tenant’s responsibility. The tenants didn’t realise until after they moved in and signed the lease. And then another friend told me a story about the time she lived at university. There were loads of issues, but one issue in particular was a significant rent increase. Most of the students relied on Centrelink payments like youth allowance. The students did not have any recourse because they were not covered under the relevant tenancy law.
But my friends did share a few stories. One friend told me about the time she had a peeking tom for a landlord. He used to peek in her windows at night after she came home from work.
Another friend told me about the time he moved into a house which had a very, very bad mould problem. The landlord had inserted a non-standard clause making mould removal the tenant’s responsibility. The tenants didn’t realise until after they moved in and signed the lease. And then another friend told me a story about the time she lived at university. There were loads of issues, but one issue in particular was a significant rent increase. Most of the students relied on Centrelink payments like youth allowance. The students did not have any recourse because they were not covered under the relevant tenancy law.
A landlord and tenant relationship is not equal. When there is no equality, an imbalance of power exists. Landlords usually have access to things like information, expertise, money. Think Karl Marx if you have heard of him.
Tenancy laws seem to be seriously biased in favour of landlords. Landlord lobby groups seem to be more successful than tenancy services. This seems to be a question of funding. And why are tenancy services poorly funded? Well I suppose this kind of thing isn’t important to governments.
Housing and security is right up there on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The stress, the tension, the anger, the anxiety all come from our need for a safe, stable, happy home. To most landlords, a rental property is just a safe investment. But to tenants, a rental property is a home and all that entails. A home means many things to many people, but to me it was a haven from the outside world and all it entailed.
I want to make one more point – not all landlords are bad. But my focus is bad landlords because I don't think the law sufficiently protect tenants.
The important thing is to remain calm, support each other and keep our good humour. If you are having a rough time, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
I want to make one more point – not all landlords are bad. But my focus is bad landlords because I don't think the law sufficiently protect tenants.
The important thing is to remain calm, support each other and keep our good humour. If you are having a rough time, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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