Renters could decide the winner of the 2023 NSW election

Crucial marginal seats around the state could be won or lost based on what the major parties are promising to do to help renters. 

Crucial marginal seats in western Sydney could be won or lost based on what the major parties are promising to do to help renters, new polling shows. 

According to YouGov polling, seen by The Daily Telegraph, two-thirds of renters surveyed listed rental support in their top three issues when deciding their vote.

In 10 marginal electorates in Sydney’s west and south, that figure climbed to almost 70 per cent.

Twenty per cent of renters listed rental support as the most important issue of the election.

It comes after the Telegraph revealed that the number of renters in a dozen marginal seats eclipsed the margin required for the electorates to change hands.

The polling, commissioned by the Sydney Alliance, Tenants’ Union of NSW, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Shelter NSW, and Better Renting, found that the cost of living crisis is hitting voters in Western Sydney hard.

Premier Dominic Perrottet’s fate could be decided by renters. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

It found that 82 per cent of renters have experienced increases in their energy bills in the last six months, and 86 per cent. have experienced increases in their housing costs.

Renters overwhelmingly supported government policies making it easier to install energy efficient appliances for heating and cooling, and to implement certain minimum standards for rental properties.

It found that major parties are struggling to cut through on housing promises.

Asked whether they would trust a Coalition government under Dominic Perrottet or a Labor government under Chris Minns to handle housing issues in government, 41 per cent of all respondents said “neither” or “don’t know”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet on Monday promised he would announce further support for renters before the election, but said bolstering housing supply would help both those renting and others looking to buy.

He said the government’s $3 billion housing fund – which includes reforms allowing homebuyers to pay an annual land tax instead of stamp duty – would help address a lack of rentals.

“In addition to that, we’re unlocking supply and building and infrastructure … The more homes we build, the less pressure there is on prices, not just in terms of purchasing, but also for renters as well,” he said.