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

The Mold That Wouldn’t Die

My Perth apartment had severe black mold that the property manager repeatedly dismissed as ‘just condensation’ despite my photos and doctor’s letters confirming it was causing respiratory issues. After months of emails, they finally sent someone who painted over the mold without addressing the underlying moisture problem. Within weeks, it returned worse than before. I withheld rent and applied to the tribunal, which ordered proper remediation and a rent reduction. When the landlord retaliated by issuing an eviction notice, the tribunal intervened again, ruling it was retaliatory action. The experience was exhausting but taught me the value of documenting everything and knowing my rights. That moldy apartment was a health hazard, but fighting the battle educated me about tenant protections and gave me confidence to advocate for proper living conditions.

- Harley Jenkins, 

Perth, WA

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