Brisbane callers can call 3257 1108.

Callers in regional areas can call 1800 177761.

This service operates between 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays). This statewide service is staffed by one advice worker.

The Tenants' Union North Queensland Office in Cairns also provides tenancy advice on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm. Ph 40313194

Tenants can also contact their local Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service, listed under "T" in the telephone directory.

RENTAL SQUEEZE IN CAIRNS

The Cairns property boom is forcing long-term tenants on to the streets as landlords take advantage of rising house prices and the rental squeeze.

One family of three had to resort to living in their car when given two weeks notice to leave their home of six years, the Tenants Union of Queensland said.

"The woman is in a wheelchair and they were desperate," said North Queensland co-ordinator Lynda Sadiki. "They said 'we've got nowhere to go and no one to go to'."

Other cases to come to TUQ notice include a 75-year-old woman looking for a new place to live after her home of 20 years was sold, and a woman who came out of hospital to learn she and her children had two weeks to move.

"Many long-term tenants - in excess of five years - are being given notice to leave because lessors are taking advantage of the current property prices to sell up and realise a profit, or to renovate and upgrade the properties in order to attract a higher rent," Ms Sadiki said.

"The upshot is that people on low, fixed incomes are struggling to find premises they can afford."

Ms Sadiki said they median rental for a three-bedroom home in Cairns was now $240, while a two bedroom unit was $170. This meant sole parents and pensioners were spending up to 50 per cent of their incomes in rent.

"As rents skyrocket, rent assistance and incomes don't. The private rental market is failing badly to address the housing needs of Australia's non-home owners," she said.

She said it was time for the federal and state governments to reinvest in public housing.

[SOURCE: CAIRNS POST - NOVEMBER 01 2004]

Leaking Roofs

The "Leaking Roofs" report by the National Association of Tenant Organisations (NATO) looks at the differences in tenancy laws in each state and highlights the need for national reform.

The report also looks at the decline in affordable housing across Australia and calls for improved security of tenure for tenants.

Some report recommendations refer to broader housing systems matters, such as the need for a National Housing Policy Framework and increases to social housing funding. However, most of the report recommendations relate to the rights of tenants under tenancy agreements.

These recommendations include who is covered by tenancy legislation, rents and costs, tenancy terms and conditions (such as quiet enjoyment and habitability), security of tenure, terminations and evictions, dispute resolution and access to housing (eg. the use of tenant databases and discrimination).

NATO is an unfunded federation of tenant organisations representing tenants in each state and territory, including the Tenants' Union of Queensland, which represents tenants in Queensland.

NATO is Australia's representative member of the International Union of Tenants.

Members of the Tenants' Union of Queensland receive regular copies of "United Times", the Tenants' Union's quarterly newsletter. To receive your copy of "United Times" join the Tenants' Union today. Information on our latest newsletter is available here