- The Guardian
- Issue #2201
The Renters and Housing Union (RAHU) is contacting tenants across the country who rent under mega-landlord Edward Dilleen.
Dilleen claims to own over 200 properties nationwide. After weeks of fact-finding, door knocking, and consulting with tenants, RAHU has discovered excessively high rents, poor conditions, and unresponsive agents.
As such, RAHU has been in the process of formulating collective bargaining for better conditions and fairer rents. Through collective bargaining – as opposed to individual negotiations – tenants are best able to exercise their leverage and to achieve these outcomes.
Edward Dilleen has unilaterally chosen to publicise this process on social media, which has placed the integrity of any good-faith bargaining at risk. Therefore, RAHU has issued a preliminary list of demands to Edward Dilleen, and expects a reply within 5 business days of being received.
Secretary of the Renters and Housing Union Adu Hani said that it was disappointing that Edward Dilleen decided to publicise this process on social media.
“Not only does it potentially jeopardise the tenants’ ability to collectively bargain, but it may potentially invite outside and unscrupulous actors.”
“This has the effect of potentially silencing tenants who have had no say in making this a public issue.”
“Nonetheless, RAHU will continue to unionise tenants and ensure they are able to collectively bargain with Edward Dilleen for better conditions and fairer rents.”
North Melbourne Branch Delegate Harry M said that, “Mr Dilleen’s actions have shown unequivocally that the power imbalance between landlord and tenants makes good-faith negotiation difficult. The only way we’re going to be able to see fair results is through collective bargaining.
