Fair go for tenants
We need your help to reinstate funding for Queensland tenant advice and advocacy services.
Emergency funding for the Tenants’ Union of Queensland (TUQ) and local tenant advice services runs out on June 30, 2013. Tenant advice services will close unless the state government restores funding.
Most funding for the Tenants’ Union of Queensland (TUQ) and local tenant advice services previously came from interest on tenant bonds. Each year around 5 million dollars of bond interest was used to fund 28 community based tenant services, including TUQ.
At the same time each year over 30 million of tenant bond interest is used to fund the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) . However the RTA is an impartial government authority and does not advocate tenant concerns. The RTA does not provide tenants with advice or advocacy support, assistance with writing letters, or assistance with tribunal matters.
Community based tenant advice services assist over 80,000 tenants a year, however these services will close on 30 June unless the Queensland government reinstates funding for the Tenants’ Union and 22 other community-based tenant advice services located across Queensland.
To get a fair go in the rental market Queensland tenants need access to free tenancy advice and advocacy support services. Funding for tenant services must be reinstated and tenant bond interest should continue to fund tenant advice and advocacy services in Queensland.
What can you do to help the campaign?
Write a letter or email your local state member of parliament, the Housing Minister, the Treasurer and the Premier to seek funding continuation from the Newman government – TUQ supporters letter 2013
Call the Housing Minister (07 3237 1832); the Treasurer (07 3224 6900), and the Premier (07 3224 4500) to seek reinstatement funding for the TUQ and TAAS services.
Send Facebook messages/questions or make a comment about funding for tenant advice services to these politicians:
http://www.facebook.com/TimManderMpEverton
http://www.facebook.com/TimNichollsMP
http://www.facebook.com/campbell.newman
Contact the media to voice your concerns or stories about how these services helped you or your friends/family – letters to the editor are very helpful.
Have Your Say! Take action to dispute the cuts to tenant advice services.
Spread the word, ask someone else to do all or some of these things
After years of supporting tenants we now need your support.
Let the government know tenant advice services are important and the Queensland government has made the wrong decision to cut funding for TUQ and TAAS!
Keep up to date with the campaign at www.savetenantservices.net.au
Like us on Facebook http://on.fb.me/MW7QY4
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/SaveTenantServs or http://bit.ly/MsPRIT
Tenants’ Union statewide advice services
Tenants who need advice in relation to a residential tenancy can contact our free tenant advice service:
Ph 1300 744 263 . This service operates 9am- 4pm Mon-Fri and until 7pm on Tues & Wed
The Tenants’ Union’s statewide office is located in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Tenants’ Union services are also available from our Fraser Coast office in Pialba and our North Queensland office in Cairns. Both these offices provide telephone and face-to-face advice for tenants, including assistance with Tribunal preparations and hearings. For advice call 1300 744 263.
To find the contact details for local Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS) look under Need Advice.
TUQ and TAAS advice services are staffed by a single advice worker. If you have trouble getting through the line may be engaged as they are talking to another tenant. Try calling at another time. Some services will take a message and try to call you back.
Meanwhile check out the info for tenants including Tenancy Fact sheets and QCAT videos showing tips to solve tenancy disputes.
Renting a home… Know your rights!
