Annie’s Ordeal: Safety, Lease Traps, and a System Under Review
After reporting a series of escalating incidents with a new neighbor—including property damage and her dog falling ill—Annie, a resident of George Town, Tasmania, found herself trapped in a lease while facing a violent assault. Despite installing security cameras and contacting police, she was told breaking her lease would come at a high cost.
"I need to leave so can I talk to you about that please."
Annie’s safety concerns were met with a financial wall. When she contacted her real estate agent, the response was clear and unforgiving: “For you to vacate the property, you will be breaking the lease. You are liable to keep paying rent until a new tenant is found and cover the costs of advertising which is $165.”
Four days after informing the agent of her intention to leave, Annie was sexually assaulted by the neighbor.
Despite the attack, she continued paying rent for nearly five weeks after moving out—totaling over $1,900. The property was subsequently advertised at a rent $15 higher per week than what she had been paying.
“I cannot continue paying ongoing rent indefinitely while the property is being advertised above the amount the owners were previously willing to accept.”
Annie is now homeless, relying on housesits, and has been unable to find a new tenant through social media.
A System That Fails Victims
Laurel House CEO Kathryn Fordyce emphasized the stakes: “Relocation is not just a preference, it's about them creating safety for themselves and being protected from future harm.”
Yet, Tasmania’s tenancy laws—last reviewed in 2009 and with reforms finalized in 2014—offer no such protection.
Tenants' Union of Tasmania acting principal solicitor Alex Bomford confirmed the grim reality: “Someone in Annie's situation has no remedy except just breaking lease.”
Outdated Laws, No Safety Net
While other states have hardship provisions allowing lease termination on safety grounds, Tasmania only provides explicit protections if the perpetrator is a co-tenant. The Safe at Home funding for family violence victims is also unavailable to those not in a family relationship with their attacker.
A new review of Tasmania's tenancy laws is now underway. A hardship provision is being considered, and a cap on rent after breaking a lease has been proposed—but faces opposition.
Annie wrote to Attorney-General Guy Barnett, who responded by offering information about Safe at Home funding—funding for which she is not eligible.