Housing justice is economic justice—and economic justice affects us all.  Throughout New South Wales, public housing tenants face the grim reality of excessive water charges, with rates increasing by almost 40% in areas like Blacktown.  This is happening without the transparency, accountability, or legal protection any consumer should expect, and it stems from the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) omitting limits on water charges.

Section 41's current wording gives free rein to disparity by failing to regulate how water charges are calculated, capped, or disclosed.  This legislative silence opens the door to financial manipulation, leaving already vulnerable tenants at the mercy of unpredictable and often insurmountable water bills.

Such unchecked overcharging does more than drain finances—it contributes to ongoing cycles of poverty, increases the risk of homelessness, and amplifies mental health strain for individuals and families.  It erodes trust in the very systems designed to protect citizens and sets a dangerous precedent for other government billing systems such as Rent.

Public housing residents should not be left in the dark about how their charges are derived or rebated.  We demand reform of Section 41 to include clear regulations for calculating water and rent charges and to ensure transparency and accountability for all transactions, based on CPI/Centrelink Benefits.  Our call is simple: enforce a legislative cap, establish a standard calculation method, and mandate detailed billing disclosures for all residents.

"As a carer advocating for my elderly mother and disabled brother, our household has faced compounding injustices under Homes NSW's exploitation of the omission of excessive water increases under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW).  Not only were we threatened with eviction due to financial manipulation not covered under the Act 2010 (NSW), but we also endured excessive water charges while living in public housing.  Compounded by limited income exacerbated by the landlord and high support needs.  These overlapping failures reveal a pattern of systemic neglect since 2018 toward disability and carer households.  We call for urgent legislative reform to protect tenancy continuity, financial fairness, and the dignity of vulnerable residents."

Excessive water and rent charges affect not only people in social housing, university students, and people with disabilities, but also every tenant in each state and territory.  This national issue remains unaddressed.  Tenants must band together to urge the government to create fairer systems for all.

Join us in urging the NSW government to prioritise all renters' rights and protections by reforming Section 41 of the Residential Tenancies Act.  Let's safeguard economic justice and uphold the integrity of our public institutions.  Sign this petition to demand the change NSW public housing tenants urgently need.  This urgent reform affects not only social housing tenants but also renters in private property.

See the story unfold:

https://gofund.me/ba6a56fb1 ​

https://thestylander.com/starlight-willy-bagatcholon/​ 

Request-Urgent-Discretionary-Funds---Mark-Dryfus.pdf​

https://ugc.production.linktr.ee-Letterhead-Departmental-Reply.pdf

Institutional Conflict of Interest & Apprehension of Bias before NCAT: When tenants challenge these financial levies, they are directed to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).  However, in the absence of procedural fairness, the rights of vulnerable self-litigants are systematically compromised.   HNSW/LAHC operating under the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is allegedly forcing tenants into financial hardship that risks their housing security. 

The Clear Statutory and Constitutional Duty of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee (the Public Accountability and Works Committee) cannot abdicate their constitutional role and duty to the public: When self-litigant and vulnerable people are denied Procedural Fairness, which results in ongoing Apprehension of Bias: Tenants are confronted with recurring registry exclusion since 2024 to the present year (including arbitrary lockouts from online portals), failures to provide sealed orders, and presiding members refusing to hear formal applications for recusal or conflict of interest declarations, while constituting apprehension of bias on 7 May 2026. 

The Duty of Scrutiny: When administrative tribunals and executive departments operate with structural bias and financial opacity, the Parliamentary Committee has a duty to protect public integrity, prevent administrative abuse, and institute a comprehensive public inquiry:

1. Parliamentary Inquiry: Compel the Public Accountability and Works Committee to launch a full inquiry into the systemic nexus between DCJ, HNSW, and NCAT dispute mechanisms.
2. Immediately conduct a forensic audit into why Applicants are locked out of the NCAT Registry portal, despite multiple complaints since 6 January 2026.

Sign this petition to demand legislative reform and justice for NSW public housing tenants.  Share widely.  Tag @RoseJacksonMP @stephenbalimp @MarkDreyfusMP and @NSWHousing in your posts.  Use the hashtag: #FixSection41 #FixSection39 of #ResidentialTenanciesAct2010NSW