Tenants' Union of NSW

Right now, property investors are getting billions in tax breaks through negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount but renters aren't getting much in return. For millions of renters, housing feels unstable. Send an email: tinyurl.com/mrw995kx

Renters deserve stable, affordable homes - not a system that rewards property portfolios. The Federal Budget is just weeks away and these tax breaks are under debate right now and they need to hear from renters too. Email your MP here: tinyurl.com/mrw995kx

We tested 3 of the most common and publicly available AI tools on some tenancy questions, read long standing Tenant Advocate Brendan Ross' blog here: tinyurl.com/4t97p3be

We hear from so many tenants experiencing unfair claims on their bond and oftentimes losing their bond due to confusion about cleaning standards and not understanding the difference between damage and fair wear and tear. Find our new kit here: tinyurl.com/3993t3ek

Renters in NSW who receive eligible Centrelink payments can now choose to use Centrepay to pay rent. Centrepay allows rent to be deducted directly from their Centrelink payment. If you choose to use Centrepay, your landlord or real estate agent must support this payment.

Researchers from UNSW Sydney, the University of Sydney, Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University are conducting a research study about lodging houses. Participation in an interview is confidential, find extra information here: tinyurl.com/ys87w89h

Solar Citizens have just published their report following their survey of 717 people across Australia - a third of them landlords, a quarter of them renters and the rest homeowners. Find the full report here: tinyurl.com/4ue6warn

🔥 Extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable - it’s dangerous. If you experience extreme heat in your rental home, please reach out to us and share your story to help us push for minimum standards in NSW. Share your story with us here: tinyurl.com/3ydk5vxv

Are you a runner ready to take on the Sydney marathon? We've organised 5 charity places for marathoners who want to take on the challenge. Our Data and Policy Officer Jack Moon is signing up for the marathon too! You can read more and sponsor Jack here: tinyurl.com/y62sr59w

Some landlords may use renovations as an excuse to remove sitting tenants and raise the rent without carrying out the significant renovations. This is what has come to be referred to as a 'Renoviction.' If this has happened to you please fill out here: tinyurl.com/3awhpfw8

If you rent, (or own, or manage) or manage an apartment in the City of Sydney you could help shape future sustainability programs in the LGA by completing a short 5-10 minute survey! ⏱ 👉 Take the survey here: tinyurl.com/28y4fw5z

We want to see tax treatment of property ownership align with community expectations for residential occupation to be stable, long-term and affordable. In particular, remove capital gains tax discounts which incentivise owner behaviour away from providing stability of tenure.

(Part 2 to our end of year post.)

While we don’t get photos of all the work put in throughout the year, 2025 was another massive year for renters and us at the Tenants’ Union of NSW. Thank you all so much for an incredible 2025 dedicated to pushing hard for change and as always, we can't wait for better in 2026.

Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services have limited availability over the holiday period. The Tenants' Union will be coordinating a Holiday Hotline to make sure renters can get urgent advice, operating from Monday 22 December 2025 - Friday 9 January 2026 between 10am–1pm, 2pm–5pm.

We all negotiate at times, but it can be challenging to negotiate with a landlord. Tenants are generally negotiating from a less powerful position, but there are things that can be done to increase chances of success and reduce the stress. 🔗: tinyurl.com/5fynu6c4

Australia’s human rights record will be reviewed in 2026 before the UN Human Rights Council. Since Australia’s last UPR, homelessness has increased, social housing stock has proportionally declined, and housing affordability has worsened. We're calling on this to change.

It's been a massive year, the staff at the Tenants' Union have worked so hard over the past 12 months, not just for rental reforms but to help educate the community to understand them. We know our work is far from over - check out our annual report: tinyurl.com/277ctp79

Tenants’ Union staff and supporters headed to Bankstown to listen to local residents discuss the everyday pressures most acutely felt by them and their families. Our Policy and Campaigns Officer wrote up an amazing blog piece here: tinyurl.com/57vmdd94

Yesterday marked the start of a 16 day campaign by UN Women to end gender-based violence. Tenancy law can help victim-survivors of domestic violence in a number of ways, our factsheet and guides here may be able to help you: tenants.org.au/factsheet-12-d…