In this episode we’re joined by Andrew Tiggjan, an organiser for SEQUR (South East Queensland Union of Renters).
On their website, SEQUR is described as an organisation of committed community members who believe that the balance of forces currently sits too far in the favour of landlords and the real estate industry and that for renters to counter this we must organise ourselves together in a union, to leverage our collective strength.
Andrew starts the discussion telling us the story behind how he began as a leader in this area, championing for the rights of renters and encouraging people to join a renters union.
Tim then refers to a news article which details the declining rental vacancy rate in Brisbane, which went from 1.3% in December 2021 down to 1.1% in January 2022, with Rents predicted to rise by 10% or more in 2022.
Andrew explains how the low vacancy rates lead to an increase in power for landlords and an increase in fear for tenants for unjustified evictions and that this is where renters’ rights are being abused.
Other abusive practices that have increased in the rental market include rent bidding, landlords not completing repairs in a timely manner, exorbitant rent increases, and landlords being unhelpful during the recent flood events in Brisbane and Logan.
Andrew states that renters are not aware that the RTA (Residential Tenancies Authority) is not an advocacy service for renters and is a government organisation that is a neutral third party to manage the tenancy bond, but any dispute about that is taken to QCAT.
For legal advice for renters, Tenants are better off contacting QSTARS and/or joining a renters union like SEQUR.
Further pressures on the lack of housing stock is interstate migration and the sale of rental stock to owner occupiers. Andrew supports policy to have people own their own homes but discusses the need to increase housing stock, to increase public housing, and to increase the infrastructure that goes with the increase in population, such as public transport and roads.
We discussed possible solutions to ease the burden of cost of living on renters and move costs such as water and electricity over to the landlords. One idea might be to have landlords responsible for water usage bills again, another is to encourage landlords to install roof-top solar.
Andrew’s 3 Big Ideas for improving renters rights in Logan:
- Join a Renters Union (if there isn’t one in your region, start one!)
- Educate, Agitate
- Organise
Beyond the Rona Podcast is recorded in Logan, Queensland on Yuggera country.
We acknowledge the traditional owners past and present. Join us next time on Beyond The Rona Podcast.