Our member is facing a rent increase of $200 a week, taking the rent for her two bedroom apartment in the city, taking her rent from $450 to $650, taking it well out of range of her budget. As a single mother, she will be forced back into a private market in which competition is fierce, and will most likely have to move to a different area. This will involve her and her son leaving their school, community and connections that they have built.

This is not an isolated incident- RAHU members and renters all over the city, state and country are facing unprecedented rent hikes. In the CBD, renters have faced staggering rents at an average of 42%. As renters, we have no recourse to fight this- and are perpetually told that our homes (often with a neverending list of unadressed repairs) are simply at the mercy of the market, distorted by the investment interests of others whose profit trumps our right to shelter. As renters, we need to stand together and fight back against a system that is stacked against us. 

Sign this petition and demand with us that:

Belle Property and the landlord:

1. Cap rent increases to be in line with minimum wage growth
2. Remedy all issues with the apartment including mould within a two-week time frame.

That the Victorian government:

1. Legislate that rent increases to be in line with minimum wage growth
2. Increased funding for CAV to carry out rent assessments
3. Increase funding to public housing;
4. Ban AirBnb and regulate short stay accommodation to free up housing.

We will be presenting this petition to Belle property, the landlord (via a letter) and the Victorian government.