1. Opening and intro
2. Conversation
3. Wrapping up

Conversation (60ish minutes)

Your conversation will cover four themes. For each theme, there is a bit of context that you should read out to the group. Then, people should have a free-flowing discussion. You can use the questions as prompts, but you don't have to. Make sure that everyone has a chance to speak, and that the Scribe is recording what gets discussed. Spend around 15 minutes on each topic.

It's very helpful if you set a timer on your phone for 15 minutes for each section.

(15 min) What do you like about renting?

“Renting can be a bad time. But it can also be a great time. Before we speak about some of the frustrations and challenges of renting, let’s have a conversation about some of the benefits. So, to kick us off … what do you like about renting? How has it been good for you? What good experiences have you had?”

(15 min) Stability

“Renters typically move much more often than home-owners, and renters in Australia have few protections against forced moves. This can be handy for people who want to be mobile, but it can also be stressful for people who want to stay in one place.

• When have you experienced uncertainty about your current lease or the risk of eviction?
• How has potential instability changed how you live as a renter? 
• What challenges have you had around ending or transferring a lease? For example, challenges with getting a bond back, or moving out before the end of a lease?

(15 min) Affordability

“Canberra is one of the most expensive places to be a renter. There is intense competition for rental properties, and this makes it harder to find a place at all, let alone an affordable one.

• What experiences have you had looking for or applying for a rental property?
• What trade-offs have you made to get a property where you could afford the rent?

(15 min) Liveability

“Renters often don’t have a ‘home’ like home-owners do. Our properties are often lower-quality and less well-maintained. They can be too cold in winter and too hot in summer. And sometimes we’re not allowed to have pets, or to make our own home even just by putting up pictures.”

• How has being a renter affected your ability to have the home you want? 
• What are your experiences of renting inefficient homes?