This 78-year-old pensioner was hit with a shocking rent hike despite her ‘immaculate’ home
The Australian rental market can be a challenging landscape to navigate, especially for those on a fixed income.
This is a reality that 78-year-old pensioner Anne-Marie Petrucco knows all too well.
Despite maintaining her rental property in pristine condition and even contributing to its upgrades, she was recently hit with a staggering rent increase that has left her questioning the fairness of the rental market.
Ms Petrucco, a resident of Mitchell Park suburb in Melbourne, has been living in her two-bedroom house for nearly three years.
She takes great pride in her home, keeping it 'immaculate' and paying half the $2,500 bill to install an air conditioner in the unit. Nevertheless, she was recently informed that her rent would increase by $98 per week—from $232 to $330.
Apart from the added cost of the air conditioner instalment, Ms Petrucco also paid $385 for a front security fly wire door.
Ms Petrucco shared her plight on social media, writing about the drastic changes she plans to make to afford rent. She thinks about limiting her social activities and cutting back on Christmas presents for her grandchildren.
‘I've contacted all the powers to be including, state politics. All to no avail,’ she added. She also mentioned contacting Centrelink but received ‘no more help’ than what she’s currently getting.
Despite these challenges, Ms Petrucco remains positive, writing, 'I'm not complaining and by the Grace of God know I will survive.'
‘Take a day at a time, have faith and yes, cut down on things. And you will get through. Good luck to all,’ she added.
Ms Petrucco's story has sparked outrage and sympathy from the community.
‘Really feel for you, you poor woman. So unfair, to be close to 80 and have those fears, can only wish you the best,’ one social media user commented.
‘What a hike. So sorry to hear. Blessings to you,’ another said.
Some have pointed fingers at real estate agents, accusing them of pushing for rent increases to earn more commission. Others have blamed the federal government for not doing enough to protect renters.
Ms Petrucco also discovered her real estate agent was leasing out a three-bedroom home just a few doors away from her two-bedroom for the same price.
‘It doesn't make sense,’ she stated.
Unfortunately, Ms Petrucco's situation is not unique. Across Australia, many pensioners and low-income earners are feeling the pinch as rental prices continue to rise.
A social media user shared a similar story about a senior receiving a rent increase.
‘I know [an] elderly man that's 82 and his private landlord has put his rent up in the granny flat from $90 to $190 per week and now the landlord has put [the] rent up to $500 per week,’ they wrote.
For a single person, the aged pension is $1,096.70 per fortnight, which is approximately $28,514 per year.
For a couple, it is $826.70 per fortnight or $21,494 per year (each). With rental prices increasing, many find it difficult to make ends meet.
Ms Petrucco said: ‘Regardless of what anyone says, an increase of basically $200.00 per fortnight from pension is huge. 3/4 of our pension.’
In Victoria, there are no laws specifying how much a rental provider can increase the rent.
While a rental provider can't increase the rent during a fixed-term agreement (unless the rental agreement allows for it), the law doesn't specify exactly how much a rental provider can put the rent up.
However, the rental provider is required to give the renter a Notice of Rent Increase form at least 60 days prior to the start of the increase.
Renters can request Consumer Affairs Victoria to investigate and issue a report on rent increases if they believe the increase is beyond the market range.
In the past 12 months, tenants in Victoria filed 5,400 challenges against rent hikes, a 120 per cent increase from the previous year.
It is worth noting that the median weekly rental cost for a house in regional Victoria is $420.
What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you or someone you know experienced a similar situation? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
This is a reality that 78-year-old pensioner Anne-Marie Petrucco knows all too well.
Despite maintaining her rental property in pristine condition and even contributing to its upgrades, she was recently hit with a staggering rent increase that has left her questioning the fairness of the rental market.
Ms Petrucco, a resident of Mitchell Park suburb in Melbourne, has been living in her two-bedroom house for nearly three years.
She takes great pride in her home, keeping it 'immaculate' and paying half the $2,500 bill to install an air conditioner in the unit. Nevertheless, she was recently informed that her rent would increase by $98 per week—from $232 to $330.
Apart from the added cost of the air conditioner instalment, Ms Petrucco also paid $385 for a front security fly wire door.
Ms Petrucco shared her plight on social media, writing about the drastic changes she plans to make to afford rent. She thinks about limiting her social activities and cutting back on Christmas presents for her grandchildren.
‘I've contacted all the powers to be including, state politics. All to no avail,’ she added. She also mentioned contacting Centrelink but received ‘no more help’ than what she’s currently getting.
Despite these challenges, Ms Petrucco remains positive, writing, 'I'm not complaining and by the Grace of God know I will survive.'
‘Take a day at a time, have faith and yes, cut down on things. And you will get through. Good luck to all,’ she added.
Ms Petrucco's story has sparked outrage and sympathy from the community.
‘Really feel for you, you poor woman. So unfair, to be close to 80 and have those fears, can only wish you the best,’ one social media user commented.
‘What a hike. So sorry to hear. Blessings to you,’ another said.
Some have pointed fingers at real estate agents, accusing them of pushing for rent increases to earn more commission. Others have blamed the federal government for not doing enough to protect renters.
Ms Petrucco also discovered her real estate agent was leasing out a three-bedroom home just a few doors away from her two-bedroom for the same price.
‘It doesn't make sense,’ she stated.
Unfortunately, Ms Petrucco's situation is not unique. Across Australia, many pensioners and low-income earners are feeling the pinch as rental prices continue to rise.
A social media user shared a similar story about a senior receiving a rent increase.
‘I know [an] elderly man that's 82 and his private landlord has put his rent up in the granny flat from $90 to $190 per week and now the landlord has put [the] rent up to $500 per week,’ they wrote.
For a single person, the aged pension is $1,096.70 per fortnight, which is approximately $28,514 per year.
For a couple, it is $826.70 per fortnight or $21,494 per year (each). With rental prices increasing, many find it difficult to make ends meet.
Ms Petrucco said: ‘Regardless of what anyone says, an increase of basically $200.00 per fortnight from pension is huge. 3/4 of our pension.’
In Victoria, there are no laws specifying how much a rental provider can increase the rent.
While a rental provider can't increase the rent during a fixed-term agreement (unless the rental agreement allows for it), the law doesn't specify exactly how much a rental provider can put the rent up.
However, the rental provider is required to give the renter a Notice of Rent Increase form at least 60 days prior to the start of the increase.
Renters can request Consumer Affairs Victoria to investigate and issue a report on rent increases if they believe the increase is beyond the market range.
In the past 12 months, tenants in Victoria filed 5,400 challenges against rent hikes, a 120 per cent increase from the previous year.
It is worth noting that the median weekly rental cost for a house in regional Victoria is $420.
Key Takeaways
- A 78-year-old pensioner, Anne-Marie Petrucco, revealed her rent is increasing by $98 per week, taking it from $232 to $330 per week, despite keeping her home in immaculate condition.
- Ms Petrucco said she must restrict her social life and cut down on spending due to the rent increase.
- In Victoria, there are no regulations on how much a landlord can increase the rent, though renters can ask Consumer Affairs Victoria to investigate unreasonably high increases.
- Victorian tenants lodged a record-breaking 5,400 challenges against rent increases in the past year, a 120 per cent increase from the previous year.
What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you or someone you know experienced a similar situation? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.