Sydney rental crisis: Greens call on Perrottet, Minns to support rent freeze policy

The state’s leaders have been called on to implement a bold new plan that could ease Sydney’s out-of-control rental crisis.

A political party has called on Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns to commit to an immediate rent freeze to alleviate the state’s ongoing rental crisis.

The Greens demanded the NSW Liberal and Labor leaders pledge support for the plan, with newly released data showing rents in some suburbs had jumped as much as 39 per cent.

A lack of new properties and an influx of national and international migrants has continued to skyrocket the city’s rental crisis, allowing landlords to bump up rents with hundreds of people often vying for the same rental property.

The Sydney median for house rent is currently $630 a week.

“The cost of rent is out of control. It’s not good enough for Perrottet and Minns to keep sitting idly by while renters struggle with unprecedented rent hikes and the chronic insecurity of renting,” MP Jenny Leong said.

A long line for an open rental inspection at a property in Westbourne Park. Picture: Colin James

The Newtown MP doubled down by asking Perrottet and Minns for expeditious support of the Greens policy - which would see an immediate rent freeze and ban on unfair evictions - ahead of the March election.

“NSW Labor and Liberal need to be clear on whether they’ll support a rent freeze to address the serious stress renters are feeling, so people know before they head to the ballot box where the major parties stand on addressing out of control rent hikes,” Ms Leong said.

“Without rent freezes, rent caps and rent controls, rents will just continue to rise unchecked and renters will not be able to afford a place to live – and continue to feel more and more financial stress.”

Member for Newtown Jenny Leong called out Perrottet and Minns to commit to an immediate rent freeze. Picture: Supplied

The soaring cost of leasing a home and the lowest vacancy rate in 12 years has the March 25 poll primed to be the first renters’ election.

A new analysis revealed that the rapidly worsening accommodation crisis may flip votes in affected areas.

In NSW’s tightest contest, for East Hills, which covers Milperra and Panania, the number of renters is nearly 500 times greater than the gap the ALP needs to bridge to win.

Meanwhile, desperate Sydney renters have been forced to accept subpar living arrangements.

One TikTok user, who goes by the handle Bree, posted a video of a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in Rosebery which had been advertised for $575 a week two years ago.

The property was recently advertised for $1200 a week. “$1200 a week for the 87 square metre apartment in Rosebery, what do you mean?” Bree said in her post.

“I know it’s not a mistake, it’s just f**ked.” The video attracted over 75,000 views and is only one of many posted by Sydneysiders worried they will find themselves homeless.

People also vented their frustrations towards a pair of studio apartments available for rent in Sydney’s east listed from $350-$345 per week.

This studio apartment in Paddington, Sydney, has received backlash for its rental price. Picture: Supplied

This studio apartment in Paddington has been heavily criticised for its price. Picture Supplied

One of the Paddington rooms features a bed in close proximity to a toilet and washing machine, sitting on noticeably damaged tiles.

The Daily Telegraph shared images of the small rooms on their official Facebook page, drawing exasperated reactions from dozens of users.

“The agents and landlords need to be more regulated,” Alexandra Keen said.

“Something needs to be done about this rental crisis.”

Originally published as Sydney rental crisis: Greens call on Perrottet, Minns to support rent freeze policy