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The BROWN COUCH: February 2015

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Friday, February 27, 2015. Why you need More Bang for Your Bond! Renting can come with one or two challenges in New South Wales, but often the first and most pressing is paying the bond. In Sydney, where median rents are pushing $500 a week, it means keeping a couple of grand handy just in case you need to move on short notice. But tenants can console themselves that they remain entitled to recover the bond as soon as their tenancy ends. Fair Trading NSW provides a service. But the Tenants’ Advice ...

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The BROWN COUCH: January 2015

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Saturday, January 31, 2015. Where does the interest on my bond go? For the answer to that question, see the TU's ' More Bang for Your Bond. Put into the calculator. The amount of your bond, and the time you've been in your tenancy, and see how much interest it has generated – and how little of it goes to your Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services, and you individually. Sign up to the campaign, share it around and tell your MP and anyone else who'll listen that you want More Bang for Your Bond! Tell us muc...

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The BROWN COUCH: December 2014

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Friday, December 19, 2014. Tenancy advice over the Christmas-New Year period. That's it for another year. The TU and the TAASs are taking a break over the Christmas-New Year period, but a couple of elves will be answering our hotline. Tenants' Union of NSW Christmas – New Year Hotline. The hotline is open 22 December – 2 January. Except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day), from 10 am – 5 pm. Except 1 pm – 2 pm, for the elves' lunch). There's also our Tenants Rights Factsheets. Not less; or.

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The BROWN COUCH: May 2015

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Monday, May 25, 2015. Minister Hazzard's Social Housing Forum. As part of the New South Wales Government's Social Housing discussion. Minister Hazzard has convened a Social Housing Forum - chaired by two former NSW Premiers, no less - to be held at the Australian Technology Park this afternoon. But we'll also be asking the forum to be bold. Because when we talk about outcomes for the social housing system, we must also talk about what the private rental market delivers. And when we talk about the money t...

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The BROWN COUCH: November 2014

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Sunday, November 30, 2014. Happy 140th birthday, Winston Churchill. Three cheers for the Rt Hon Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA, on his 140th birthday. Regardless of anything else he did, Churchill's on our birthday card list because of his advocacy for land tax. Here's an excerpt from his cracking 1909 speech. Those who love enterprise, take note! Thursday, November 27, 2014. No Land Tax' does not know land tax: part 2. The other day the merits of a broad-based land tax.

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The BROWN COUCH: Further comment on the 'antisocial behaviour' amendment bill

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Tuesday, August 11, 2015. Further comment on the 'antisocial behaviour' amendment bill. We understand the NSW Government's Residential Tenancies and Housing Legislation Amendment (Public Housing - Antisocial Behaviour) Bill 2015. Is scheduled for debate in the lower house today. We have issued the following statement. Residential Tenancies and Housing Legislation Amendment (Public Housing – Antisocial Behaviour) Bill 2015. This comment provides additional focus on the bill’s key provisions. And changes w...

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The BROWN COUCH: Senate's Affordable Housing Inquiry Reports

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Friday, May 15, 2015. Senate's Affordable Housing Inquiry Reports. Last week the Senate Economic References Committee released its report on the Affordable Housing Inquiry, and its a doozy. Of course, it hasn't made a dent on the policy landscape, but as with all documents of this type there's hope that one day it might. We certainly plan to keep a copy of it in the top draw, along with Ken Henry's 2010 review of the tax system. The committee also recommends the Australian Government:. Together with the ...

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The BROWN COUCH: June 2015

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Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Happy anniversary, Residential Tenancies Act - part 2. On June 17th 2010, the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. Became law in New South Wales. It came into operation a little later, on January 31st 2011, but it has now been on the statute books for a full five years. From today, the responsible Minister can commence the statutory review of the Act to see if its policy objectives remain sound, and whether its terms are still valid. He's got 12 months to table his report. Of course,...

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The BROWN COUCH: Flat out on the Brown Couch - part 1

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Friday, August 14, 2015. Flat out on the Brown Couch - part 1. You may have noted, dear reader, that the Brown Couch has remained empty, at least relatively speaking, in recent times – its grooves gently smoothing and that coffee stain resolutely untreated. There’s a bit of dog hair too. Strata Schemes Management Bill. And Strata Schemes Development Bill. Our poor neglected couch. Who can lend us that book of kooky stain removal tips? The bulk of media contributions – quality. As opposed to a final, last...