The worsening rental crisis in Australia

REPORT - September 2023

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Full Report (PDF)

Contents

Members

Terms of reference

Abbreviations

List of recommendations

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Referral and Conduct of the inquiry
Structure of the interim report
Acknowledgments
Notes on references
Note on definitions
Trends in the Australian housing landscape
Current government policies and initiatives
State and territory governments
Australia in the international context

Chapter 2 - The experiences of renters

Difficulties to secure rental housing
Rental affordability
Tenure security and duration
Accommodation minimum standards
Barriers to self-advocacy and enforcement of renters’ rights
Homelessness and marginal housing
Committee view

Chapter 3 - Facing additional barriers to renting

Income support recipients
First Nations peoples
People with disability
Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence
Older Australians
Younger Australians
People living in regional, rural and remote Australia
Asylum seekers, refugees, and newly arrived migrants
International students
People exiting prison
Committee view

Chapter 4 - Factors underlying the current rental crisis

High demand for rental housing
Supply of rental housing
Rights and obligations of landlords and tenants under tenancy law
Concluding comments

Introduction
Stronger renters’ rights
Urgently increase investment in public, social and community housing
Rent freezes and rent caps are needed to stop rapidly increasing rent rises

Introduction
The issue of affordability
Vulnerable cohorts and the lack of public housing
The private rental market’s role in rental supply
Other factors contributing to rental supply pressures
Disincentivising vacant properties
Conclusion

Better Deal for Renters
Additional Support for Housing

Appendix 1 - Submissions and Additional Information

Appendix 2 - Public Hearings

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