Victoria's Safeguards Against Above-Inflation Increases
Homelessness NSW is urging New South Wales to adopt rent rise protections similar to Victoria's to prevent vulnerable tenants from facing homelessness due to above-inflation rent increases.
Cost-of-living pressures are mounting, and a single rent hike could leave many renters without homes. Dom Rowe, CEO of Homelessness NSW, highlighted the urgency, stating, "With winter approaching and grocery prices expected to surge by 20 per cent, we are deeply concerned about people who are already teetering on the edge."
"Right now, an above-inflation rent increase can be the event that ends someone’s tenancy," Rowe declared, urging NSW to follow Victoria’s lead before more people are pushed into homelessness.
Victoria's Safeguards Against Above-Inflation Increases
Victoria has recently implemented rules allowing tenants to contest rent increases that exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Homelessness NSW believes this could be crucial for low-income renters.
In New South Wales, tenants can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to challenge excessive rent hikes. However, the Tribunal's assessment focuses on market rents and does not consider inflation.
Mortgage holders are facing rising repayments, and many landlords may pass these costs to tenants. Rowe emphasised that renters, especially those on the lowest incomes, have limited capacity to absorb rising costs.
A single person on JobSeeker receives approximately $817 per fortnight, while a Youth Allowance recipient living away from home gets about $685. Both amounts are insufficient to cover rent in Sydney. Rental stress has surged, with 1 in 5 low-income renting households under financial strain.
"There has been no meaningful increase in income support, and people simply cannot keep up with rising rents," Rowe stated, stressing that an above-inflation increase can be the tipping point into homelessness.
With the 2026 street count approaching, the 8 per cent rise in rough sleepers last year is expected to climb further. Financial stress may also lead to increased family and domestic violence, placing additional pressure on services.
Rowe concluded, "If governments can move quickly to support business, they should act just as decisively to keep people housed ahead of what will be a very tough period."
Last updated: 12 April 2026, 7:49 am
