LANDLORDS have southwest Sydney’s renters on the ropes because they have the right to evict tenants without reason.

Miller resident Mark Davis is one of many tenants who have been unceremoniously evicted from their properties — and he wants to see laws change to protect renters.

“I was given a no grounds eviction,” Mr Davis said.

“They kicked me out because I put up a fence backing onto a strata property I work for.”

media_camera Labor regulation spokeswoman and state MP Yasmin Catley. Picture: Troy Snook

NSW ALP has promised to remove no grounds eviction provisions if elected in 2019.

Labor regulation spokeswoman Yasmin Catley said if landlords did the right thing they would have no reason to fear the proposal.

“Removing the ability for a landlord to evict a tenant will help renters have the confidence to stand up for their rights,” Ms Catley said. “People shouldn’t be scared to point out a broken window in case the landlord decides to turf them out.”

Mr Davis rental property had previously belonged to his parents, and he had lived there for 20 years. He lost possession of the house after his parents died, but there was an unwritten promise he could buy it back from the investor when he was able to. That never came to pass after Mr Davis was abruptly evicted.

His tenant advocate, Nicole Kennedy, said it was the result of a misunderstanding.

“Mark is the handyman for the strata property that backs onto his property,” Ms Kennedy said.

“He built a new fence for the strata and invoiced his landlord — but they thought he invoiced them as the tenant, not the handyman.”

Ms Kennedy said Mr Davis was then given 90 days to leave.

“We fought that at the tribunal and initially we weren’t successful, but the appeal was successful,” she said. “It was determined to be retaliatory because he was lawfully doing work for the neighbouring strata.”

A retaliatory eviction is any instance where a landlord or agent has acted the end the rental agreement because the tenant has tried to enforce their legal rights.

Mr Davis ultimately left the property despite winning his appeal on those grounds; he said the trauma has stayed with him.

“After the experience we don’t feel safe,” Mr Davis said. “We know now landlords can turn on you for any reason — it’s full-on.”

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In NSW renters with a periodic lease agreement can be evicted for no reason with 90 days notice.

Renters with a fixed-term agreement can be evicted after the last day of their lease for no reason, with 30 days notice.

A Century 21 Fairfield spokeswoman said the proposed policy put landlords at risk.

“We use no grounds evictions all the time for all kinds of reasons,” she said. “Sometimes the landlord wants to move in or renovate; they’ll have to find another way to do that.”