I'm meeting my local MP because I'm sick of being treated like shit as a renter.
I'm posting this because I am finally taking action to try and get SOMETHING done about the abysmal state of renter's rights in Australia, and I really want to encourage you to do something too!!
I've had appalling bad luck with real estate agents and landlords in the small handful of rentals I've leased but I've had to go to VCAT several times already due to REA/LL blatantly ignoring my rights or breaking laws. The outcome of the VCAT hearings don't really matter to them, they can continue to do whatever they want whenever they want regardless of how unethical and illegal it may be, because there's literally no reason for them not to. It won't impact on their income, it won't impact on their reputation as individuals or as businesses, it won't impact on their career prospects, it won't impact on their criminal record.
The steps I have taken are:
- look up my local state MP and find their email address
- send an email to explain my circumstances and ask for an in person meeting to discuss the lack of protections for renter's under existing laws
- phone call with the office of MP to organise a meeting
I could have more easily just called or emailed, but I think going in person and putting my face to my story is going to be genuinely much more impactful. So if you have the ability to do so I encourage you to try and get in contact with your MP too!
There are more than enough stories in this sub reddit that should be plenty of evidence that the system is beyond broken, but MPs aren't in this subreddit! Put a face to your story and they can't ignore you!