Flood-hit Queensland renters have just days left to negotiate a break in their lease

Howard Marshall and Gavin Chuah have been bed-hopping for three weeks due to power outages at their South Brisbane apartment. Photograph: Supplied

Howard Marshall and his partner, Gavin Chuah, have spent three weeks living out of suitcases and bed-hopping in and out of friends’ homes.

Flood water inundated the garage of their South Brisbane unit on 27 February, interrupting the building’s electricity and hot water supplies, and shutting off the lift and fire alarm.