Brock got the news the day he asked for repairs – one of 30,000 NSW renters evicted without a reason each year

Brock in his rental property in regional NSW. He says there is no reason to suspect the owners thought he and his partner were bad tenants. Photograph: Brydie Piaf/The Guardian

Brock’s bathroom sink was leaking last year. The landlord had attended to the repair himself – they had chatted, got along.

In January Brock, who did not want his last name used, sent a few emails about a leaking air conditioner. The property manager said she would organise a tradie to visit at the earliest convenience.