Perth battlers deride rental standards

Nearly half of renters are living in houses infested with pests as fresh data reveals Perth is now the least affordable capital city in the nation to rent in.

And more than half of renters have had repair requests ignored, while nearly two-thirds have paid for repairs to their rentals themselves.

Those figures were among a list of headline data shared as part of the WA Make Renting Fair Alliance’s new report on the standards of rentals in Western Australia, which coincided with the release of new affordability data from National Shelter and SGS Economics and Planning.

The latest rental affordability index found the level of income to average rent had dropped 13 per cent in the past year in Perth, which left the city less affordable than Sydney.

Shelter WA chief executive Kath Snell said WA renters were getting an unfair deal.

“Not only are many paying through the nose in rent, the homes they’re living in are unsafe, unhealthy and inadequate,” she said.

“Renters are putting up with poor living conditions out of fear that speaking will lead to eviction or an excessive rent hike.

“Western Australia ranks equal last in the country for ensuring basic rental standards that all of us expect in our homes - from functional stovetops and window coverings to living spaces free from mould and pests.”

Some of the most serious issues raised in the rental standards report were that more than half of tenants in WA experienced leaks or mould in their homes, about half encountered electrical problems, and about half had door and window security issues.

More than half of 380 respondents over the two-year survey period struggled to stay warm in their home and six in 10 renters surveyed were worried raising repair requests would result in their lease not being renewed or rent increased.

Western Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Louise Giolitto said the power imbalance between tenants and landlords was most profound among low income and vulnerable renters.

“Desperation for a roof over their head can drive tenants to sign agreements for properties that are in no condition to be lived in, but low supply issues mean tenants feel they must take what they can get,” she said.

“Implementing minimum standards goes some way to rebalancing the relationship between tenants and landlords and is essential to protect tenants from poor quality housing, ensures their safety and health, and means they're getting what they pay for.”

The rental affordability snapshot meanwhile showed availability of rentals in WA had dropped nearly 60 per cent since 2020, while Perth’s average rental price rose 75 per cent in the same time.

Some 31 per cent of income is now spent on rent for those who don’t own their own home in Perth, which is higher than Sydney and equalled only by regional Queensland.

Anglicare WA chief executive Mark Glasson said the state’s wealth meant there was no excuse for poor rental conditions.

“We are the richest state in one of the richest countries in the world, it’s time to ensure people have access to safe, secure, and healthy homes that are affordable to rent for people on low incomes,” he said.

“The State Government has made really positive moves to address the issue, including the first round of Residential Tenancy Act Reforms.”

Circle Green Community Legal principal lawyer Alice Pennycott said existing laws failed to safeguard renters.

“Everyday we speak to renters who are living in properties that don’t meet even the most basic standards of habitation – homes with mould, dangerous wiring, pest infestations; homes that are freezing in winter and boiling in summer,” she said.

“It’s time for the WA Government step up in establishing minimum standards for rental properties, to protect renters from exploitation and unsafe living conditions, and ensure that all West Australians can live in dignity and safety.”

The Australian Capital Territory and regional South Australia were the only areas found to have acceptable levels of income spent on rent.