Krista's story

We were originally signed up to a one year lease on our current property. Part way through we were told by the agent that we would be signed up to another lease as we were good tenants who kept the place in a good state and always paid our rent on time. 

We really like the place and actually made some improvements with the landlord's consent. We did this because we felt like the investments were worthwhile because we'd get the benefit of them long term.

We had originally asked the landlord to make the improvements. When they refused we faced a decision – either make the improvements ourselves or move to a place that had the improvements we needed. The agent's assurances made us choose not to go through the upheaval of moving with small children.

When our lease ran out we contacted the agent and expected that we'd be signed up to a new lease, but they have now pushed back on this. We feel a bit stupid really because now we are in a situation where we've added to the value of the landlord's property with an improvement that may be of limited long term value for us.

We want to push the agent to sign us up for another lease, but we know ultimately we can't force the landlord to do this. We are also aware that they could issue us with a 90 day no grounds notice if we cause too much trouble. Our hands are tied.

We've invested in where we live. Our kids are at school and daycare nearby. Our friends live close and we've built up all sorts of networks. There aren't that many properties where we live on the market at any one time and I'm worried that if we are given a 90 day notice we may have to move not once, but twice to get a place that suits our needs. That gets expensive.

As full time working parents 90 days does not seem long – we'd need to pack, potentially find new daycare/schools, make applications for properties, take time off for viewings. Not to mention sort out money for removalists, and potentially a new bond.

I feel sad when I think about how much I have invested in this house and the community. I'm worried that if I move we will lose the social networks we have made. I feel daunted at the fact that I will have to deal with having to find new services like shopping centres and doctors in the place that we end up moving to. 

I think about our renting insecurity a lot. I'm the sort of person who likes to plan ahead. I can't do that now and it does impact how you live even on a small scale – my partner and I have made decisions on things like not buying new furniture because we can't guarantee it will fit in a new place. Our current landlord would let us get a dog, but we won't because we don't feel secure that the next landlord will be so agreeable. We have savings specifically put aside for moving too.

I'd love to know that I can live in a place unless there is a good reason to have me go. When you are dealing with people's lives and their homes, I think the decision to terminate should not be taken lightly – there's a huge cost to the tenants, socially, emotionally and financially. 

* Krista has asked that her real name be withheld