Even though no grounds evictions is officially banned in NSW, it does not mean tenants are safe because landlords can make up a genuine reason to evict and then put the property back on the market. Landlords still hold power and control over tenants. There’s no regulation or monitoring of “genuine reason”.

Going to NCAT will still be the same process as before where the onus will be on the tenant to prove that the landlord is lying. The NCAT is referred to as a kangaroo court that pushes people into homelessness!

I am currently going through this and am at risk of homelessness due to receiving a notice for eviction in October of this year. My current landlord Liping Wang made this decision promptly following my attempt to negotiate a rental increase. I have been paying this increased rate regardless since March of this year. I have always worked between two different roles whilst also studying Health Science at University to ensure I can afford the increased rate.

Following the eviction notice, I went through a significant Mental Health crisis and am now also going through the process of working through my own previous childhood trauma that resulted in needing to leave home at a young age and eventually needing to reside temporarily in government housing. 

Coupled with the unpredictability of where I may end up residing next and the risk of homelessness if I am unable to find somewhere to stay, this is causing severe psychological and financial distress. 

I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and family violence. I live with the impacts of this daily. I also suffer from anxiety and depression as a result of my current circumstances. My current housing circumstances are only exacerbating this and limiting my time available to continue to work through my trauma and engaging regularly with supports.

I am trying to rebuild my life after years of trauma and hardship. This eviction will set me back following years of progress that I have worked so hard to achieve. I have dedicated much time to building up my own capacity and life following the circumstances I was faced with growing up, and it is upsetting to see it all go backwards following an unfair decision made by a landlord.

My University studies have been delayed, and the last thing I would want to do is need to return to my abuser or end up without a place to call home. At this point in time, I am isolated from my family and have no informal support system around me to help even temporarily this wouldn't be an available option. 

Having stable housing for me is crucial to continue to work through my own wellbeing and studies. I have spent a lot of time applying for other housing options through multiple forums but so far have had no luck. I have been liaising with NCAT regarding the matter as well which I have still come to no resolution throughout this process. I am feeling incredibly let down by the system in general, as I imagine it has failed many times before in the current housing crisis we are facing in Sydney. 

Now is the time for landlords, real estate agents, and organisations to do better. Considering the dire circumstances already faced by our city and limited availability of housing, there needs to be more awareness, understanding of, and empathy towards the reality many face including mental and physical health, complex trauma, domestic and family violence, only to name a few.

The reality is so many people are struggling with complexity of day-to-day life and the ability to afford to live, the last thing we need is unfair eviction and apathetic and indifferent responses from people in positions of power to add to these issues. 

I would like to advocate and be a voice for people who are going through similar things, including limited accessibility to support. We need to see change if we are going to be able to continue to survive in the cost-of-living crisis faced by our city.