Childcare worker at showground ‘tent city’ asked to pay 33 per cent rent increase

CHILDCARE worker Garry Evans has called the Hobart showgrounds home for more than two weeks, after his landlord tried to increase the rent for his Glenorchy home by 33 per cent.

Working dad Garry Evans at the Hobart showground with the tents that he has now been forced to live in with his son, after his landlord allegedly put his rent up from $300 to $400 and then refused to renew his lease. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

CHILDCARE worker Garry Evans has called the Hobart Showground home for more than two weeks, after his landlord tried to increase the rent for his Glenorchy home by 33 per cent.

Mr Evans, his son and daughter had been living in a four-bedroom Glenorchy property. But when the real estate agents sent him a lease renewal form he was shocked to find the rent was increasing from $300 a week to $400 — three-quarters of his take-home pay.

Mr Evans said he deliberated over whether to sign the renewal, but before he could decide the landlord sent out a notice to vacate the property, which has since been leased at the higher price.

“I feel like I’ve let my kids down. Yes I provide food, they don’t lack for anything, just a roof over their head,” he said.

“The last two months have been an absolute nightmare. My stress levels are extremely high, but I’m still thinking positive. We’re going to get something.”

His daughter has now gone interstate for work, but Mr Evans and his 17-year-old son are living out of three tents and a car at the showground.

He has applied for 25 houses since mid-February.

“There’s just 60, 70, 80 people rocking up for a 10-minute inspection at a house,” Mr Evans said. “I didn’t think it was this bad, because I had a roof over my head. It wasn’t until I had to start looking. It’s just ridiculous.”

Mr Evans was one of the showground residents who shared their story with Housing Minister Roger Jaensch when he visited “tent city” yesterday. He moved to the showgrounds the day before Mr Jaensch was sworn in on March 21. Mr Evans said he was glad Mr Jaensch had visited, but he should have done so earlier.

“It’s a positive thing that he’s come out, that he’s been able to talk to people out here and find out exactly what the situation is,” Mr Evans said.

If you have a story about Hobart’s rental crisis email alexandra.humphries @news.com.au