Half of rented homes need repairs: report

Half of Australian renters are living in properties that need repairs, with many too afraid to complain about mould, leaky taps and broken toilets out of fear they could be evicted, a report shows.

The report, to be released on Wednesday by consumer group CHOICE, found 51 per cent of renters surveyed live in properties that need repairs.

Seventy-eight per cent of renters reported issues with their bathroom since moving into their current property, with 35 per cent experiencing mould, 33 per cent complaining of leaky taps or shower heads and 22 per cent complaining of a broken or faulty toilet.

Another 28 per cent reported issues with cockroaches, moths and ants.

"Our home is falling to bits - there is paint peeling everywhere, our locks don't work, and the plumbing is almost completely broken," one survey respondent said.

"We've just given up asking our landlord for repairs. It's futile. He either ignores it or gets someone to do the cheapest job possible."

The report found most renters are too afraid to request repairs, with 68 per cent fearing rent increases and 44 per cent worried they could be evicted.

One respondent said his lease was not renewed due to repair requests, only for new tenants to move in two weeks later.

"There was no way they could have done all the repairs in that small amount of time," he said.

The report calls for a ban of 'no-grounds' evictions, which allows for a landlord to evict a tenant for unspecified reasons.

CHOICE and tenancy groups National Shelter and the National Association of Tenant Organisations are launching the report at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday.