A new survey, conducted by Choice, National Shelter and the National Association of Tenant Organisations, has found widespread experiences anxiety, insecurity and discrimination in the Australian rental market.
The study, called 'Unsettled: Life in Australia's Private Rental Market', surveyed more than 1000 tenants and revealed many were putting up with substandard housing due to the precariousness of their situation.
"There is a definite and very significant power imbalance between tenants and landlords and unfortunately landlords have the whip hand when it comes to tenancy law," said Adrian Pisarski, National Shelter's Executive Officer.
Of those surveyed, one in seven renters were reluctant to complain or request repairs out of fear of a rent hike, blacklisting or eviction
When requests for urgent repairs were made, one in four waited more than a week to get a response.
"The longer people have been tenants the less likely they are to make a complaint. It says to me tenants who have been in the rental market for a long time have a bitter experience of making complaints," said Mr Pisarski.
The study found 83 per cent of renters were signed to a lease for 12 months or less, or didn't have a fixed term.
"People have very little security of tenure. Many people are on rolling leases that go from month to month and can be easily cancelled. When you get to the end of a lease if you've got one your rights are very limited," said CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland.
Advocacy groups are calling for tighter regulation with an end to no cause evictions.
"No grounds eviction in every jurisdiction across Australia is really the key thing that undermines tenants confidence," said National Association of Tenants' Organisations Ned Cutcher.
With only three weeks to find a new rental home, Devaki Monani was desperate to find suitable place for her husband and toddler.
In Sydney’s competitive rental market, it was no easy feat.
"We went to all these inspections and there were 15 people rocking up for one apartment," Ms Monani said.
She also believes she faced racial discrimination in her search.
"There's a real fear that Indians might ruin the place by cooking curry."
