Researchers from the University of NSW and the University of Technology Sydney discovered students had been exploited in share housing that they found on social media and websites.
Half of all respondents said they had experiences one or more problems including being deceived about the accommodation they received, landlords moving in extra people without the consent of tenants and overcharging.
Redfern Legal Centre has helped 18 international students living in three properties in Kingsford recover $36, 000 in bond and charges for unknown services.
One of the students, who did not want his name published, said he moved into an apartment after seeing an ad online.
After moving in, his rent was automatically deducted from his credit card, which was also charged for additional costs including cleaning services that were not provided and administration fees.
In the Living Precariously Understanding International Students’ Housing Experiences in Australia report, Dr Laurie Berg and Bassina Farbenblum said their finding confirmed a need for more quality affordable student housing.
“The data indicates a pressing need to strengthen international student’s legal rights and access to justice, particularly in share houses, boarding houses and elsewhere in the marginal rental sector,” the researchers said.
“Exploitative housing situations substantially undermine the international student experience in Australia,” the report said.
“They impact international students’ emotional, physical and financial wellbeing and can seriously affect their studies.”
Read the full article here (The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 December 2019)
