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

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Lifetime of hard work – still can’t make it work

I am a 72 year old pensioner who moved out of our caravan park after 7 years of mental and financial abuse. I was forced to move out using all our super to buy a car and caravan to travel as we couldn’t find a rental that we could afford. My wife died last Christmas day of a heart attack due to the stress of living in such cruel and mentally exhausting circumstances. People would be shocked to learn of our story as an Australian born couple with no substance abuse issues and a lifetime of working in this country could be treated in this way.

- Michael, 

Hamilton, QLD

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Read more stories:

I live in public housing.
Last year, our property agents slapped us with a $100/wk rent increase.
Landlord math: “Family moving in” + evict tenants = relist at higher rent.
Had to move due to rent increase
Lifetime of hard work – still can’t make it work
Rent increased above inflation

1/3 of all voters are renters. This election, we're making renting great again for once.

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About

The Pledge

The Renter Pledge is an initiative of Better Renting. Authorised by J. Dignam, 1 Moore Street, Canberra ACT.

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
Legal / tribunal issues
Maintenance & Repairs
Rent increase
Rental Nightmares

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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.

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