The NSW Government refuses to see what is obvious to most Sydney residents. What the tenancy services are finding is a huge increase in tenants receiving termination notices that provide no reason for the eviction. Many tenants have told us that they have seen their properties re-listed at a higher rental level immediately after they have moved out. The landlord thus avoids rent disputes and can take advantage of the high demand market. Another effect of the Olympics has been displacement of long term residents from boarding houses.
Student housing is also in crisis in the lead up to the Olympics.
Staff at the University of Sydney Housing Service has expressed concern at the shrinking availability of affordable housing for students. They have also reported that some landlords have specified that leases will not be available during the Olympic period. The service is worried about its students finding appropriate housing in the second half of 2000. The Department of Fair Trading has failed to respond to calls for greater legal protection of low-income tenants. Instead it has opted for a monitoring role.