New report finds renters are ‘broke, cold and stressed’   :(
October 4, 2022
Green Left Weekly

Renters are increasingly spending high proportions of their weekly income on housing without adequate heating or cooling, a new report by the Anti-Poverty Network South Australia (APNSA) has found.

Broke, Cold, Stressed, released on September 29, surveyed almost 300 low income renters in South Australia and found that “overwhelming numbers” are “struggling with high rents and large rent increases, with profound impacts for their health”. 

See also
Greens campaign for rent freeze, housing affordability
Renters demand more assistance during the pandemic
Renters shafted as NSW government says ‘We’re all in this together’
Many are “living in homes that they cannot afford to properly heat; and are feeling disempowered, insecure, and stressed”. Nearly 80% of those surveyed are experiencing housing stress — defined as spending more than 30% of income on rent. 

“We have never encountered more overwhelmed low-income people who have been pushed to breaking-point by our housing market,” the APNSA said. “We have never encountered more people locked-out of housing, or who have been homeless, or on the verge of homelessness, even among our own members and volunteers.”

Alarmingly, 44% said they spend more than 50% of their income on rent and 12% spend more than 70%.

A majority said high rents impact their ability to afford other basic necessities: 79% said it affected how much food they buy; 68% find it difficult to afford medical costs; and 70% said it impacted their ability to pay bills on time.   

It is even worse for people on welfare payments who spend, on average, 20% more of their income on rent than those in paid employment. This is largely because welfare payments, such as JobSeeker, are far below the poverty line.

Many renters said felt pressured to offer more than the advertised rate to secure a private rental.

A telling figure is that 75% said high rents have a “major impact” on their mental health. One said: “The anxiety that paying rent causes is destructive to my mental health. It inhibits my participation in social activities, because I have no discretionary buffer.

“I always pay rent first. If there are any surprise expenses … I feel despair and panic. I do have coping strategies, but I never have a financial buffer.”

Secure and affordable housing is a crucial factor affecting people’s health: poor quality housing can lead to severe health issues.

The report found that more than two thirds of those surveyed reported that their rental accommodation had inadequate heating and cooling.

This is because landlords are not mandated to do the repairs, and low-income households can only afford properties with poor insulation and weather-proofing.

Given the expensive of trying to heat a property with poor insulation, 44% of the APNSA’s survey said they only used the heater “very briefly” and in one room. Twenty-eight per cent said they often go to bed early because of how cold the house was. 

Cold homes lead to illness, asthma and mental health problems. Respondents reported that pain conditions and arthritis were impacted by the cold and some said their homes are so cold they find it difficult to sleep at night.

“I give the kids all the blankets to keep them warm, but I have none left for me,” one person said. “I wake up several times in winter because of the cold which makes me more tired throughout the day.”

The report noted that poorly-insulated buildings mean renters spend more on energy costs in winter and low income renters are more likely to live with mould and damp which worsens any health problems.

“A constant theme among renters who completed our survey was how stressful the rental experience is: the process of securing an affordable, appropriate rental (and particularly an affordable pet-friendly rental) is extremely frustrating,” the report noted.

Low-income renters, particularly those on welfare, also experience discrimination when searching for rentals. Discrimination based on race, relationship status and disability is illegal in SA under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984. But discrimination based on income, or whether a person receives welfare, is allowed.

One respondent said “welfare payments have the appearance of risky tenants, we’ve been told”.

Another significant hurdle for renters is renting with pets, with 70% saying finding a rental was “much harder” or “extremely difficult”. “Pets are ‘destructive’,” one said, adding: “Despite keeping things orderly and tidy and not hoarding, we’ve been told we’re ‘hard to market to investors’.”

More than 40% said they had been discriminated against because they receive a welfare payment.

Many respondents said they had experienced discrimination from landlords and property managers because of mental health issues, sexuality, gender identity, race and disability.

Almost 80% of renters with a disability felt their rental property was not fully accessible.

The report listed a series of reforms to make renting more accessible and affordable.

They included state governments freezing rents, re-introducing a moratorium on evictions, massively expanding the build of public housing, implementing a vacancy tax (SA has 86,000 vacant homes according o the 2021 census)

Should there be a rent freeze?. Well some may not like the idea of a rent freeze, but it sure looks like we need one.  Also much more must be done about social housing.   :(

whiteknight wrote on Oct 4^th, 2022 at 5:03pm:

Should there be a rent freeze?. Well some may not like the idea of a rent freeze, but it sure looks like we need one.  Also much more must be done about social housing.   :(

Landlord here. I rent at about half the going rate because I bought cheap and rents are insane.  I support a rent freeze

Why is nobody looking at the estate agents' renting commission?

The fees real estate agencies charge for property management
services vary depending on where you live and the agency you
choose. As a general rule, you can expect to pay a commission
of between 7% and 10% of your weekly rent plus GST to your
letting agent.

Therefore, a $450 per week rental property costs the property
owner—and effectively the renter—upwards of $120 per month.

For what exactly?  In reality, and in most cases, absolutely nothing.
Other than sitting on their arses banking the commissions for all
their rental properties every week.  And it's not uncommon for
agencies to have 50 to 100 rental properties on their books.  Nice
little earner if you can swing it.

Oh, and there's usually an extra $5 to $10 weekly "administration
fee" on top of all that.    Silly me to almost forget that!

AusGeoff wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 12:08am:

Why is nobody looking at the estate agents' renting commission? The fees real estate agencies charge for property management services vary depending on where you live and the agency you choose. As a general rule, you can expect to pay a commission of between 7% and 10% of your weekly rent plus GST to your letting agent. Therefore, a $450 per week rental property costs the property owner—and effectively the renter—upwards of $120 per month. For what exactly?  In reality, and in most cases, absolutely nothing. Other than sitting on their arses banking the commissions for all their rental properties every week.  And it's not uncommon for agencies to have 50 to 100 rental properties on their books.  Nice little earner if you can swing it. Oh, and there's usually an extra $5 to $10 weekly "administration fee" on top of all that.    Silly me to almost forget that!

I never use them.  I know my tenants, they know they can call me.  People do it to not be accountable or to deal with people

I've just met a woman who is living in her van.  I am going to suggest she park in my driveway and use my kitchen and shower, and maybe move into a room if she gets comfortable.  The biggest issue I see is lack of community, and people just fall through the cracks. We should all pay attention and help people where we can

FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 6:35am:

AusGeoff wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 12:08am: Why is nobody looking at the estate agents' renting commission? The fees real estate agencies charge for property management services vary depending on where you live and the agency you choose. As a general rule, you can expect to pay a commission of between 7% and 10% of your weekly rent plus GST to your letting agent. Therefore, a $450 per week rental property costs the property owner—and effectively the renter—upwards of $120 per month. For what exactly?  In reality, and in most cases, absolutely nothing. Other than sitting on their arses banking the commissions for all their rental properties every week.  And it's not uncommon for agencies to have 50 to 100 rental properties on their books.  Nice little earner if you can swing it. Oh, and there's usually an extra $5 to $10 weekly "administration fee" on top of all that.    Silly me to almost forget that! I never use them.  I know my tenants, they know they can call me.  People do it to not be accountable or to deal with people I've just met a woman who is living in her van.  I am going to suggest she park in my driveway and use my kitchen and shower, and maybe move into a room if she gets comfortable.  The biggest issue I see is lack of community, and people just fall through the cracks. We should all pay attention and help people where we can

Oh Look! Walter is now a property magnate! ::)

Belgarion wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 7:55am:

Oh Look! Walter is now a property magnate! ::)

I've had rentals for 20 years lol

FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 6:35am:

AusGeoff wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 12:08am: Why is nobody looking at the estate agents' renting commission... I never use them.  I know my tenants, they know they can call me.  People do it to not be accountable or to deal with people I've just met a woman who is living in her van.  I am going to suggest she park in my driveway and use my kitchen and shower, and maybe move into a room if she gets comfortable.  The biggest issue I see is lack of community, and people just fall through the cracks. We should all pay attention and help people where we can

Agreed on all points.  And good onya for helping out this woman.     :)

AusGeoff wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 2:23pm:

FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 6:35am: AusGeoff wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 12:08am: Why is nobody looking at the estate agents' renting commission... I never use them.  I know my tenants, they know they can call me.  People do it to not be accountable or to deal with people I've just met a woman who is living in her van.  I am going to suggest she park in my driveway and use my kitchen and shower, and maybe move into a room if she gets comfortable.  The biggest issue I see is lack of community, and people just fall through the cracks. We should all pay attention and help people where we can Agreed on all points.  And good onya for helping out this woman.     :)

Harm one, harm all.  From everyone according to his ability, to everyone according to his needs

Belgarion wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 7:55am:

FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 6:35am: AusGeoff wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 12:08am: Why is nobody looking at the estate agents' renting commission? The fees real estate agencies charge for property management services vary depending on where you live and the agency you choose. As a general rule, you can expect to pay a commission of between 7% and 10% of your weekly rent plus GST to your letting agent. Therefore, a $450 per week rental property costs the property owner—and effectively the renter—upwards of $120 per month. For what exactly?  In reality, and in most cases, absolutely nothing. Other than sitting on their arses banking the commissions for all their rental properties every week.  And it's not uncommon for agencies to have 50 to 100 rental properties on their books.  Nice little earner if you can swing it. Oh, and there's usually an extra $5 to $10 weekly "administration fee" on top of all that.    Silly me to almost forget that! I never use them.  I know my tenants, they know they can call me.  People do it to not be accountable or to deal with people I've just met a woman who is living in her van.  I am going to suggest she park in my driveway and use my kitchen and shower, and maybe move into a room if she gets comfortable.  The biggest issue I see is lack of community, and people just fall through the cracks. We should all pay attention and help people where we can Oh Look! Walter is now a property magnate! ::)

Loretta. Not Walter, Loretta. What next?? Mis-gendering???


Loretta - We've seen The Lady in the Van, too.

https://youtu.be/_dm-a9R763A

FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 2:28pm:

Harm one, harm all.  From everyone according to his ability, to everyone according to his needs

Good one! I like that. Says a lot in that sentence!

Sophia wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 2:53pm:

FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 2:28pm: Harm one, harm all.  From everyone according to his ability, to everyone according to his needs Good one! I like that. Says a lot in that sentence!

Karl Marx, 1875.
He in turn got it from the Bible.

Sophia wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 2:53pm:

FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 2:28pm: Harm one, harm all.  From everyone according to his ability, to everyone according to his needs Good one! I like that. Says a lot in that sentence!

Two socialist slogans :)

Frank wrote on Oct 5^th, 2022 at 2:41pm:

Belgarion wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 7:55am: FutureTheLeftWant wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 6:35am: AusGeoff wrote on Oct 5th, 2022 at 12:08am: Why is nobody looking at the estate agents' renting commission? The fees real estate agencies charge for property management services vary depending on where you live and the agency you choose. As a general rule, you can expect to pay a commission of between 7% and 10% of your weekly rent plus GST to your letting agent. Therefore, a $450 per week rental property costs the property owner—and effectively the renter—upwards of $120 per month. For what exactly?  In reality, and in most cases, absolutely nothing. Other than sitting on their arses banking the commissions for all their rental properties every week.  And it's not uncommon for agencies to have 50 to 100 rental properties on their books.  Nice little earner if you can swing it. Oh, and there's usually an extra $5 to $10 weekly "administration fee" on top of all that.    Silly me to almost forget that! I never use them.  I know my tenants, they know they can call me.  People do it to not be accountable or to deal with people I've just met a woman who is living in her van.  I am going to suggest she park in my driveway and use my kitchen and shower, and maybe move into a room if she gets comfortable.  The biggest issue I see is lack of community, and people just fall through the cracks. We should all pay attention and help people where we can Oh Look! Walter is now a property magnate! ::) Loretta. Not Walter, Loretta. What next?? Mis-gendering??? Loretta - We've seen The Lady in the Van, too. https://youtu.be/_dm-a9R763A

cynical, in fact, ugly comfortable conservative. You deserve a night on the streets of any of Oz's CBDs  with only some rags to keep you warm.

Menzies was able to house everyone via deficit spending, before the self-interested  neoliberal market - with its absurd balanced government budget mantra, determined who could access housing.