2023-01-11
Sydney renters are continuing to be slogged with massive rent hikes, according to new data released today by PropTrack.
The Greens are calling on all parties to put renters first and commit to an immediate rent freeze.
Jenny Leong MP, Greens spokesperson for Housing and Renters and Member for Newtown, said:
“We need an immediate rent freeze now to stop out of control rent rises and give renters urgent relief while longer-term rental reform is implemented.
“We know that housing costs are far and away the biggest cost in everyone’s budget, and renters are continuing to be hit with massive and unfair rent hikes.
“It costs more to rent now than ever before because of years of special treatment to big developers, landlords and investors.
“Right now too many renters are being forced to make the difficult choice between rent they can't afford or eviction, queue with hundreds of other people just for an inspection, or avoid basic maintenance requests because of fear of retribution.
“The rental crisis will not get better until we cut rents, end unfair no grounds evictions, and stop the special treatment of landlords and investors profiting from the housing crisis.
“But time and time again Liberal and Labor have shamefully voted together to block urgent genuine reforms that would have made a massive practical difference for renters.
“Just weeks ago, the NSW Liberal National Government voted against an urgent Greens rent freeze bill - and disappointingly NSW Labor indicated that they didn’t support freezing rents.
“If Liberal and Labor had back the Greens Bill before Christmas, renters would now be benefiting from this immediate cost of living relief now.
“If Liberal and Labor want to send a message to the two million renters in NSW who vote, they need to commit to an urgent and immediate rent freeze.
“The Greens are the only party that will cut rents, end no grounds evictions, and always put renters first.”
Media Contact: Andrew Bradley p: 0412 500 009 e: andrew.bradley@nsw.greens.org.au