Jo* used to be a homeowner and a landlord managing large companies and living life to the full. Then fifteen years ago their situation changed and they lost their home.
Today, they rent and in their mid-70s due to their health conditions including severe arthritis, kidney disease and a degenerative spinal conditioner they must use a walker or stick and are very reliant on their local aged care support, doctor, hospital and community.
Jo had permission from the owner (where they currently rent) that they could make the home their own and that they wouldn’t be evicted. Therefore, with the little money they did have, they bought an air conditioning unit, a new shed and plants for the garden. A new owner bought Jo’s place last year and having rented in the same place for over 8 years with an impeccable rental history, they have now been issued a Notice to Leave, for no other reason than it is the end of a fixed term.
Jo’s car is too small to sleep in, her adult children live too far away from her local hospital, specialists and doctor. Jo is trying desperately to find somewhere to live contacting specialist housing services and putting their name down on numerous waiting lists but with no success. If Jo doesn’t find somewhere to live in the next 2 months, Jo may have to live in their car. This is not the life Jo had planned, they are not coping and if they think too long about their situation, they wouldn’t stop crying.
This is why we continue to advocate for fairer renting in Queensland. Without fairer renting, people like Jo will be homeless and find themselves deeper into poverty.
If you believe in making renting fair, sign our letter today, on our site; https://makerentingfairqld.org.au/email-your-mp/.
*Name has been changed for privacy reasons.