Latest news with #HomelessnessNSW
Daily Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Empty Airbnbs fuel Sydney's rental crisis
While Sydney-siders struggle to find affordable rentals, Airbnbs in Sydney sit empty on average 294 days a year. As Sydney's rental crisis continues, with sky-high prices and limited vacancies, thousands of properties that could house locals are sitting idle most of the year. Short term rentals, like Stayz and Airbnb are having a huge impact on Sydney's tenants while property investors charge premium nightly rates, earning far more than traditional rentals. An inquiry by Unions NSW into the rental market's severe supply shortage revealed there were were over 200,000 un-hosted Airbnb dwellings in Australia, while renters, including many essential workers, were struggling with rental stress or risked homelessness. MORE: Investor tricks lock out hopeful homebuyers Last year, 67,900 people sought help from homelessness services with thousands turned away due to a lack of funding, according to Homelessness NSW. Unions NSW and Homelessness NSW are calling for urgent change, asking the state government to match Victoria's recently implemented 7.5 per cent levy on short-term rental stays. MORE: Singles face impossible property reality New builds vanish amid loan slump Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe said the pressure on the rental market exacerbated by short-term rentals has driven an alarming rise in homelessness. 'We are seeing a severe shortage of affordable rental properties, pricing more and more people out of the private market and into homelessness,' she said. Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said this was a 'commonsense approach.' '(It) would make a positive difference. The Government promised to tackle housing affordability. We now need to see action,' he said. The inquiry found essential workers faced additional challenges securing long-term housing because of the impacts of the short-term rental market. 'This is forcing the workers our communities rely on into excessive commutes, financial stress or even homelessness,' Mr Morey said. The number of short-term rentals outnumbered vacant long-term rentals in some areas across Sydney, with a large portion near hospitals. Search results on Airbnb showed over 1000 listings within proximity to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital located in Camperdown, while there were only 71 properties in the suburb listed for long-term rental on On top of a 7.5 per cent levy, Unions NSW have suggested a 60-day statewide cap on un-hosted short-term rental stays. Revenue from the proposed levy could go towards funding essential worker accomodation or homelessness services. 'A levy on short-term accommodation would encourage long-term rental availability and would raise much-needed funds that should be directed to overwhelmed and under-resourced homelessness services,' Ms Rowe said. MORE: Security guard sells $4m lottery win James Packer's offsider 'buys $80m penthouse'
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Empty Airbnbs fuel Sydney's rental crisis
While Sydney-siders struggle to find affordable rentals, Airbnbs in Sydney sit empty on average 294 days a year. As Sydney's rental crisis continues, with sky-high prices and limited vacancies, thousands of properties that could house locals are sitting idle most of the year. Short term rentals, like Stayz and Airbnb are having a huge impact on Sydney's tenants while property investors charge premium nightly rates, earning far more than traditional rentals. An inquiry by Unions NSW into the rental market's severe supply shortage revealed there were were over 200,000 un-hosted Airbnb dwellings in Australia, while renters, including many essential workers, were struggling with rental stress or risked homelessness. Last year, 67,900 people sought help from homelessness services with thousands turned away due to a lack of funding, according to Homelessness NSW. Unions NSW and Homelessness NSW are calling for urgent change, asking the state government to match Victoria's recently implemented 7.5 per cent levy on short-term rental stays. New builds vanish amid loan slump Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe said the pressure on the rental market exacerbated by short-term rentals has driven an alarming rise in homelessness. 'We are seeing a severe shortage of affordable rental properties, pricing more and more people out of the private market and into homelessness,' she said. Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said this was a 'commonsense approach.' '(It) would make a positive difference. The Government promised to tackle housing affordability. We now need to see action,' he said. The inquiry found essential workers faced additional challenges securing long-term housing because of the impacts of the short-term rental market. 'This is forcing the workers our communities rely on into excessive commutes, financial stress or even homelessness,' Mr Morey said. The number of short-term rentals outnumbered vacant long-term rentals in some areas across Sydney, with a large portion near hospitals. Search results on Airbnb showed over 1000 listings within proximity to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital located in Camperdown, while there were only 71 properties in the suburb listed for long-term rental on On top of a 7.5 per cent levy, Unions NSW have suggested a 60-day statewide cap on un-hosted short-term rental stays. Revenue from the proposed levy could go towards funding essential worker accomodation or homelessness services. 'A levy on short-term accommodation would encourage long-term rental availability and would raise much-needed funds that should be directed to overwhelmed and under-resourced homelessness services,' Ms Rowe said.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Tenant's alleged 'revenge' against landlord after rent increased to $550 a week
An Aussie landlord has been left with a huge mess and potentially hefty clean-up bill after his tenant allegedly unleashed a bizarre 'revenge' plan over a rent increase. David Longford said it was initially smooth sailing when the pensioner moved into the Warilla property, south of Wollongong, in 2012. Sealed with a handshake, the friend reportedly agreed to pay $350 a week for rent and dodged a bond payment, the homeowner told A Current Affair. The rent increased to $400 in 2017, but after Longford hired a real estate agent to help him out, it jumped to $550 a week. 'He calls me up and says, 'we need to go back to how we were with me paying you cash'. And I said, 'no, I want to keep it through the real estate and he says, 'well, in that case, we've got a problem, and it's your problem, not mine',' the landlord claimed. After the renter moved out, Longford told the publication he was prepared for some sort of 'revenge', but did not predict the trail of destruction he later discovered. The pensioner had allegedly used industrial-strength glue to seal the entire house, including seven outside shutters, all doors and windows, cupboards and drawers. Not even the lawnmower's fuel cap or the plastic outdoor furniture was left untouched, he claimed. 'I didn't think it would be this bad,' Longford said, alleging he also found bags of rotting prawns tucked away and paint splashed across the bed and other furniture. 🔨 Tenant's fury as $830 a week home turns into construction site 🏠 Aussie landlord's 'nightmare' after rental property trashed by tenants 💰 Tenant's $5,000 win after being evicted from 'sinking' rental It's no secret that Aussie renters are beyond frustrated with the country's crippling rental crisis. NSW residents are battling the state's worst rental affordability crisis on record, which was incredibly apparent earlier this month when a Sydney landlord's generous offer attracted enormous queues. While similar one bedroom apartments in Leichhardt, in the city's inner west, typically average between $580 and $610 a week, the 'real nice bloke' chose to list it for just $500. According to the latest REA Group report, median rents in Sydney have hit $780 for houses and $700 for units, making NSW the least affordable state for renters. Even households earning $116,000 can only afford 36 per cent of available rentals. Homelessness NSW warns the system is failing, with housing crises, financial struggles, and family violence driving an increase in rough sleepers. Alarmingly, 76 per cent of those seeking long-term housing and 49 per cent needing emergency accommodation are unable to secure it. "The REA Group report shows that even high-income earners are struggling in this market. For vulnerable populations, particularly our Aboriginal communities who make up 33 per cent of homelessness service clients, the situation is dire,' said Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
