Invest
How inconsistent tenancy laws make life difficult for domestic violence victims
Invest
How inconsistent tenancy laws make life difficult for domestic violence victims
Inconsistent tenancy laws across Australia are making it difficult for women and children to leave an abusive partner, a new study has revealed.
How inconsistent tenancy laws make life difficult for domestic violence victims
Inconsistent tenancy laws across Australia are making it difficult for women and children to leave an abusive partner, a new study has revealed.
A report released by the University of South Australia has found that 41 per cent of Australians accessing homelessness services are domestic violence victims.
The report also showed that inconsistent tenancy agreements across states remains a key obstacle for women looking to leave an abusive situation, as only NSW and Western Australia allow victims to leave without going through the courts.
Lead author professor Eileen Webb said that while changes to the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) allow family domestic violence (FDV) victims to more easily break a lease without penalties, most states still require tenants to go through a court or tribunal.
“This can deter domestic violence victims from seeking relief because they are reluctant to engage with the judicial system and face the perpetrator in court proceedings,” UniSA’s professor of law and ageing said.
“Most states release FDV tenants from outstanding rental payments, repairs and returns of a security deposit, but in some jurisdictions the processes are complex and lengthy.”
The professor said the most efficient and cos-effective way to help victims of domestic violence is through issuing a certificate system.
“A social worker, a person from a refuge, a GP, a person familiar with the situation can simply write a certificate for the tenant to give to the landlord and the lease terminates at that point.
“That sort of approach across Australia would be ideal. That makes the process easier. It doesn’t solve the problems over disputes and rental repairs, but in general it makes that first step of breaking the lease much easier,” Ms Webb continued.
Not only are breaking leases proving difficult, but the study revealed a lack of housing stock in general, and safe and decent accommodation at short notice for women and children experiencing family domestic violence, remains a key challenge.
“Women in violent relationships are more likely to cycle in and out of homelessness, often living in a car or on the streets. It’s a perilous journey finding safe, alternative accommodation and so many invariably return to the perpetrator. Those who try to leave can be even more at risk, including being murdered,” she said.
The report also identified that survivors of domestic violence often have trouble obtaining a new lease because landlords discriminate against them, and because of the difficulties of renting with a pet.
“One in three women experiencing domestic violence don’t leave because they have a pet. It is hard enough to find accommodation for themselves and their children and it’s almost impossible to find a refuge which will take a pet. Women are staying in many cases, even when they have an opportunity to go, because they are frightened of what will happen to their pet,” Professor Webb said.
About the author
About the author
Property
Property price growth slows in July, but will this downward trend last?
Despite the impacts of lockdowns on the broader economy, the housing market continued to grow in July, albeit showing signs of an impending slow down, new data has revealed. ...Read more
Property
Millennials believe first home buyers need more support
Australia’s up-and-comers in the housing market say more needs to be done to slow rising house prices. ...Read more
Property
3 in 4 borrowers in trouble are in lockdown: ANZ
Despite offering support, ANZ said freezing home loan repayments will be the last resort, as three in four requests for support stem from NSW. ...Read more
Property
RBA gives APRA’s use of macro tools a tick of approval
Ahead of an expected move to impose tougher lending rules on the banks, the Reserve Bank has looked into previous attempts by APRA to cool the housing market. ...Read more
Property
Federal incentives are driving more first home buyers into the market
While property prices continue to grow, new research suggests that the government’s current crop of first home buyer incentives is having an impact on this segment of the market. ...Read more
Property
Why it now costs 130% more to service a mortgage than 3 decades ago
The lifetime cost of owning a home has increased by over 130 per cent in just three decades, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Property
Using the 30/30/3 rule for home buying during uncertain times
Thinking of buying a home? Uncertain economic times may have you double guessing your purchase, but the 30/30/3 rule can help you make this a reality. ...Read more
Property
Rental yields reach decade high, but not all markets move at the same pace
Changing consumer preferences towards lifestyle destinations and a lack of supply have led to record national price growth, albeit price fluctuations vary region-to-region, fresh figures show. ...Read more
The Olympic effect on property and equity investors; COVID-19 Disaster Payments and super
Listen now
Do lockdowns boost property prices? Are short-sellers levelling the playing field? Did you lodge your tax returns early?
Listen now
Will lockdowns halt the housing boom? Is the metaverse taking over? And the cons of lodging your tax returns early
Listen now
Are you being priced out of the market? Have you got the Tuesday blues? And are you ready for the upcoming super changes?
Listen now
Property
Property price growth slows in July, but will this downward trend last?
Despite the impacts of lockdowns on the broader economy, the housing market continued to grow in July, albeit showing signs of an impending slow down, new data has revealed. ...Read more
Property
Millennials believe first home buyers need more support
Australia’s up-and-comers in the housing market say more needs to be done to slow rising house prices. ...Read more
Property
3 in 4 borrowers in trouble are in lockdown: ANZ
Despite offering support, ANZ said freezing home loan repayments will be the last resort, as three in four requests for support stem from NSW. ...Read more
Property
RBA gives APRA’s use of macro tools a tick of approval
Ahead of an expected move to impose tougher lending rules on the banks, the Reserve Bank has looked into previous attempts by APRA to cool the housing market. ...Read more
Property
Federal incentives are driving more first home buyers into the market
While property prices continue to grow, new research suggests that the government’s current crop of first home buyer incentives is having an impact on this segment of the market. ...Read more
Property
Why it now costs 130% more to service a mortgage than 3 decades ago
The lifetime cost of owning a home has increased by over 130 per cent in just three decades, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Property
Using the 30/30/3 rule for home buying during uncertain times
Thinking of buying a home? Uncertain economic times may have you double guessing your purchase, but the 30/30/3 rule can help you make this a reality. ...Read more
Property
Rental yields reach decade high, but not all markets move at the same pace
Changing consumer preferences towards lifestyle destinations and a lack of supply have led to record national price growth, albeit price fluctuations vary region-to-region, fresh figures show. ...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
