Home truths: renters' stories from the Australian housing crisis.

Barely able to pay for my life.

I now work full-time but I’m paying over 60% of my income in rent. My health is suffering because I can’t afford to eat healthily. Every time I open my fridge, I feel immense guilt and deprivation seeing that there is barely any food in it. I feel like my life is passing me by, as I need to save money to be able to afford moving costs in case lease isn’t renewed. I’ve had to cut down on exercise classes, especially during winter when running outside is less of an option. I get extremely depressed, as the thought of continuing to live in these tiny, cramped, mouldy, overpriced apartments for the rest of my life makes me want to just give up. I have started to have stress related physical symptoms and even PTSD around my job for the first time ever due to the constant pressure of barely being able to pay for my life.

- Noah, 

Norwood, SA

Read more stories:

Share your rental story

Pin your experience to the map. It could be a rental property you lived in, or one you visited.

For administrative purposes only. We won't publish or share your email.
Your name will be displayed as "Anonymous" on the map and website.
Evictions
Health issues
Heating, cooling & energy
Maintenance & Repairs
Rent increase
Rental Nightmares

Click on the map to adjust your story pin if needed.

Use two fingers to pan and zoom the map. Tap to place your pin.

These aren't just assets, they're our homes.

In rental properties across Australia, real people are experiencing life's biggest moments — birthdays, breakups, new jobs, lockdowns, first kisses, last goodbyes.

When politicians talk about housing, they can't cut renters out of the conversation. 1 in 3 of us rent: this is what the housing crisis looks like for us.