In the past months, Sweltering Cities has joined Sydney Alliance and the Tenant’s Union Renters Forums. Three community events with a clear goal: providing a forum for renters to share their experiences, and their ideas for what renting should be, whilst policy makers listened.
Each of the forums was in different locations across Sydney: CBD, South West Sydney (Revesby), and North West Sydney (Parramatta). Hosted by the Rental Commissioner Trina Jones.
We discussed renting as it is, covering issues of homes needing repairs, mould, rent increases, costly electricity bills, no heating and cooling, and much more. Whilst many stories brought up emotions of frustration, sadness and anger, each participant was able to relate to others in the room and felt less alone in the immense frustration of the rental crisis.
Members of parliament in attendance
Heat was a big concern for renters
Despite these forums taking place in the cooler months of the year, no one has forgotten the unbearable heat of last summer. Many people told stories of having no fans or air conditioning, or not being able to afford to cool their homes. This echoed our summer survey data, where nationally, 66% of renters had air conditioning, 80% of which avoided turning it on due to concerns about cost. We consistently heard stories of renters who had to flee their homes and go to shopping centres, libraries and relying on family during heatwaves.
Moving forward we discussed renting as it should be, this included rental homes close to our communities and the things we need. In addition to energy efficient and cost effective cooling and heating, thereby ensuring renters have a valued place in solutions to climate change.
At the Northwest forum in Parramatta, Sweltering Cities presented summer survey stories, and our solutions for change. This included:
- Funding for common sense cooling solutions
- Eg. ceiling fans, fly screens (to allow for ventilation and to keep our insects), blinds and curtains
- Including cooling and insulation in the minimum standards
- Safe and accessible cool spaces for heat refuge: council building, libraries, pools
The recent win of an end to No Grounds Eviction in NSW, will make renting safer and more secure. It is a step in the right direction to improving the ability of renters to ask landlords for home improvements and to provide security for families. These forums continue to generate positive change for rental conditions, and remind policy makers of the importance of renter’s as stakeholders in laws impacting them, their lives, and their families. There is still a long way to go in improving rental conditions in NSW. Continuing to share stories and participate in ideas for solutions will ensure communities are at the forefront of rental reform.
