Tenants in Far Western NSW and outer Sydney suburbs are facing the highest risk of eviction, according to a heat map created by the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales.
The map, based on NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) data, shows stark disparities in eviction rates across the state, with some areas experiencing significantly higher rates than others.
According to the data, Bourke Shire, Central Darling, and Walcha had the highest proportion of eviction applications, at three per 100 rental households.
In Sydney, Campbelltown and Liverpool led with two applications per 100 rental households.
In contrast, wealthy Sydney areas such as Willoughby Shire, Ku-ring-gai, Mosman and Woollhara reported zero evictions per 100 tenants.
Tenants’ Union chief executive Leo Patterson Ross said there is clearly a big difference between areas.
“The most interesting elements here show the geographic differences in the rates of eviction applications – particularly south west Sydney, and particular regional areas,” Mr Patterson Ross said.
“Rent arrears are the dominant reason for eviction applications, and are often an indicator of cost of living difficulties.”
The data also reveals a significant imbalance in who initiates tribunal applications.
Landlords lodged 76 per cent of applications to leave a rental property, compared to just 21 per cent by tenants.
This disparity is even more pronounced in social housing, where landlords initiated 93 per cent of applications.
“We believe it shows that some social housing providers may be overusing the Tribunal and eviction processes unnecessarily,” Mr Patterson Ross said.
“We know most of the time providers are actually seeking a repayment plan rather than the eviction itself and we would encourage them to apply for that outcome.”
Mr Patterson Ross said there were several strategies that could address these issues.
“Many of the issues around eviction here come back to a general cost of living crisis,” he said.
He said there was a need for more public and community housing.
“We call on all levels of government to work towards a proportion of 10 per cent of all housing by 2036 (a doubling of the current proportion),” he said.
“Increasing supports like Centrelink payments to ensure they meet the needs of people out of work, or on very low wages, would make a big difference as well.”
