Research on single-parent renters
In our report ‘Restricted, Resilient, Resourceful: Legal help-seeking among single-parent renters ’ we set out to better understand the help-seeking journeys of single parents who rent in Victoria.
Challenges facing single-parent renters
Everyone deserves timely access to support for their legal issues. This support should be delivered in a way that is accessible and, when necessary, tailored to their specific situation. However, the demand for free legal services often outweighs capacity to assist help-seekers, making it difficult for people to access the support they need.
For many single parents renting in Victoria, deciding which pathway to take when addressing a rental or related legal problem often means overcoming additional challenges, including limited resources, time, and access to suitable housing options.
Read the report
For a detailed account of our findings, including in-depth analysis, practical recommendations, and case studies illustrating the lived experiences of single-parent renters, read the full report.
For a summary of the key findings and recommendations, access the condensed version of the report.
Why we undertook this research
This research was led by Tenants Victoria, in partnership with the Council of Single Mothers and their Children, and funded by a Victoria Law Foundation Knowledge Grant.
We interviewed 19 single parents to learn more about their rental experiences, identify their legal needs and explore the steps they take when faced with a rental issue.
Findings from this research will be used to inform service practices at Tenants Victoria.
We will also be sharing insights to help other renter support services respond more effectively to the needs of single parents and other groups facing rental disadvantage.
What we did
We interviewed 19 single parents renting in Victoria who had experienced a rental legal problem in the past 5 years.
Key findings
We identified 6 stages in the help-seeking journeys of single parents and 7 related findings.
| Stages in the help-seeking journey | Related findings |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Finding a rental property | Finding 1: Single parents face serious challenges when trying to attain safe, secure and affordable housing |
| Stage 2: Managing relationships with landlords, housing providers, and real estate agents | Finding 2: The approach of landlords, real estate agents and housing providers plays a key role in the rental experience of single parents |
| Stage 3: Experiencing a rental legal problem | Finding 3: Single parents have to weigh up multiple factors before deciding how to address a rental legal problem |
| Stage 4: Seeking help | Finding 4: Single parents engage in repeated ‘knocking on the door’ at service entry points to access support |
| Stage 5: Navigating legal, community and government services | Finding 5: Single parents build self-advocacy skills through necessity Finding 6: Compassionate, informed and transparent service delivery is important |
| Stage 6: Help-seeking outcomes | Finding 7: Taking a multidisciplinary approach to help-seeking outcomes will be more effective |
Each stage highlights the systemic barriers and individual challenges single parents must overcome when navigating rental issues.
‘It’s really hard to come up against the system when I have no, I mean, I know legally I have rights and whatever, but to go against the system with no money and no support … it’s hard for tenants to push for the maintenance and push for the things when their lease might not get renewed … there’s cracks in the walls now, there’s [a] little bit of mould in the bathroom, there’s leaky taps … I can’t be bothered.’
– Erin, single parent with 2 children living with her
Our findings are accompanied by practical recommendations to help legal, housing, and support services better meet the needs of single-parent renters. You can find all recommendations in the full report.
Core finding
Legal capability tends to fluctuate among renters over time due to intersecting individual, environmental and structural factors that enable or restrict their ability to engage with their rights as renters, take on legal information, and take legal action.
Existing service practices that help improve legal knowledge, confidence and literacy are instrumental in aiding the development of skills needed to address rental legal problems.
However, services should go further – by placing greater emphasis on acknowledging, accommodating and combatting external factors through a multidisciplinary approach that addresses complex and interconnected legal, financial, health and housing issues.
Acknowledgements
Tenants Victoria would like to acknowledge the 19 research participants who shared their time and experiences with us; without your contribution this research would not be possible.