Almost one in three Aussie tenants have put off contacting their landlord over an issue out of fear of attracting a rent increase, new data has revealed.
A survey conducted by Finder found 27 per cent of renters avoided calling their landlord or real estate agent for repairs because they were worried about having their rent hiked up.
The figure comes as Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker showed almost 42 per cent of Australians reported they struggled to pay their rent in October.
Finder home loans expert Richard Whitten said Australia’s housing crisis had placed undue stress on renters.
“Tenants are living in a state of fear that should they do or say something wrong, they will be faced with a rental increase – or worse, be forced out when their lease is over,” Whitten said.
“Many don’t have the funds to spare and are already going beyond their means to keep a roof over their heads.”
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The study, which surveyed 394 renters, found Millennials were the most likely of generations (38 per cent), to say they were reluctant to contact their landlord or real estate agent to fix anything out for fear of rental increase, compared to baby boomers (nine per cent).
About 1 in 4 respondents said they never needed to reach out for repairs, while 48 per cent said they were comfortable to do so.
“Not disclosing issues like property damage or mould up front could come with serious consequences, including breaching your tenancy agreement,” Whitten said.
“You’re better off negotiating a rental increase, then ending up back on the property market with a black mark against your name.”
Finder has advised tenants who are attempting to navigate skyrocketing rent to understand their rights before accepting an increase from their landlord.
Tenants are first urged to check the rules in their state or territory regarding notice periods and lease term agreements.
Researching rental properties in the area can also help in negotiating a lower rent increase.
Prospective tenants who want to stand out in a crowded rental market are advised to spruce up their applications with a cover letter and a rental resume.
