Help Russell pay rent and bond.

Greetings, I'm Russell.

The short version: I need bond and rent for the next couple of months until I can regularly work again.

The long version: I'm First Nations, I live with ADHD/Autism and also grapple with Anxiety and Depression. I volunteer in the Renters and Housing Union which helps push for renters rights and supports renters in education and advocacy.

Since November, I've been in a dispute with my landlord to remain in my current rental property. The situation escalated when I asked for a week's notice before she brought several people to appraise the apartment.

I received an eviction threat via text, and I was threatened with her partner even coming by to ensure I had vacated. I took the matter to VCAT and secured a 3-month restraining order against her, lasting until the end of March.

She has now hired a Real Estate Agent who is equally uncooperative, and they are pressuring me to sign a new lease, pay extra rent upfront, and provide a bond. My previous lease with this landlord was verbal, didn't require a bond, and VCAT validated it as a legitimate rental agreement.

They have now lodged another application with VCAT to evict me on the grounds of not paying a bond, even though VCAT had already recognized my existing lease. I have submitted a counter application in hopes of having this dismissed.

I've had to stop working due to stress at work, and this entire ordeal has been very taxing. If VCAT decides in their favour, I can't afford to pay a bond, so I'll be forced to move 3 hours away to my family's home, lose my job, and abandon the mental health support network I've been trying to establish.

I am hoping you can assist in any way to help me secure accommodation.

Any extra money will be go towards a fund in the Renters and Housing Union used to help others.