Invest
Rent relief shots fired as stage 4 carries on
Victorian real estate agents are being advised to refuse to negotiate lower rental rates after the state’s six-month extension of the rental moratorium received backlash from a real estate body.

Rent relief shots fired as stage 4 carries on
Victorian real estate agents are being advised to refuse to negotiate lower rental rates after the state’s six-month extension of the rental moratorium received backlash from a real estate body.

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has slammed the decision as providing landlords with “virtually no relief while tenants get substantial support”.
“While the vast majority of tenants do the right thing, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria is seeing increasing evidence that some tenants are rorting the system put in place to protect them.”
According to the advocacy organisation, “There is growing evidence that some tenants are using the government’s moratorium to set their own rules and take undue advantage of the measures. Even when the dispute is taken to VCAT, there is often no outcome for the landlord, with the tenant effectively living rent-free until the end of the moratorium.”
It reported that the longer such a moratorium continues, the more tenants that will take advantage of the “biased” system.
With many reduced rental agreements now due for renegotiation, the REIV reported that it is advising members to refuse to negotiate rent reductions and force every request into the dispute system.
“With a backlog of over 4,000 cases, VCAT is not equipped to resolve disputes,” it said.
REIV CEO Gil King said he has seen, and continues to see, “illegal rent strikes with no consequences”.
“Until balance and common sense is restored, we will embark on a moratorium-strike. Let’s see how the system copes without our cooperation,” he commented.
“This demagogue decision to extend the moratorium means that for a whole year, landlords will be dictated as to how much rent they can charge – removing their right to make fundamental decisions about their own property.”
According to the institute, the decision to extend the moratorium, and the continued ban against physical inspections contained within the state’s “roadmap to recovery”, evidences a “lack of understanding by the Victorian government regarding the operations of the real estate sector”.
“In its efforts to protect the most vulnerable of tenants, the Andrews government has not only caused them long-term harm, but has also allowed many who are not suffering COVID-related financial stress to profit from the moratorium.”
As a result, the institute is calling for an independent review of the roadmap, labelling the Andrews government response as “disproportionate, alarmist and shortsighted”.
It said, “The path proposed jeopardises livelihoods and assets of hard-working Victorians who have abided by the rules and restrictions for over six months.”
Acknowledging that people who have saved and invested in an asset like property are unable to sell it to tide over these difficult times, the REIV stated that “pushing the Victorian economy to the brink of collapse cannot be the only method of preventing the spread of coronavirus”.
Mr King said, “It is mind-boggling that the government is asking people to withdraw from their superannuation to fund their living costs but won’t let them sell their property for the same purpose.”
“Wasn’t super supposed to be your retirement fund?”
About the author

About the author


Property
ANZ now expects house prices will end the year lower
With higher interest rates on the horizon, the bank is forecasting larger house price declines than previously expected. ...Read more

Property
Which capital cities are most attractive to property investors?
A new survey has suggested that investor attention is shifting away from Australia’s two largest capital cities. ...Read more

Property
Market uncertainty fails to discourage foreign property investors
While interest from foreign investors in Australian property has remained strong, HLB Mann Judd warned that tax increases could see demand shift to other markets. ...Read more

Property
Regional renters forced to spend more of their income than ever before
Renters in regional areas are spending nearly as much on rent as home owners are spending on mortgage repayments. ...Read more

Property
Aussie home buyers now need to save for over 11 years for a deposit
Since early 2020, the time needed to save for a deposit has increased by more than two years. ...Read more

Property
HSBC forecasts 2023 house price decline of up to 10%
The firm had previously predicted a modest rise for house prices next year. ...Read more

Property
Perth house prices continue climbing to a record high
While growth may have come to an end in Sydney and Melbourne, Perth house prices are still on the rise. ...Read more

Property
Stamp duty significantly slowing path to purchase for FHB
Saving for a home takes years for the typical first-time buyer. In Australia’s largest cities, as much as two years are spent simply building up the funds to pay the cost of stamp duty, according to...Read more

Wrapping up an eventful 2021
Listen now

What Omicron means for property, and are units right for first-time buyers? What is equity crowdfunding? Are industry super funds tapping into member funds to save their skins?
Listen now

Will housing affordability improve in 2022? Will buy now, pay later become the norm? Why are Aussies staying in failing super products?
Listen now

Who really benefits from crypto ETFs? How will the RBA respond to rising inflation? Could a mandate help address unpaid super?
Listen now

Property
ANZ now expects house prices will end the year lower
With higher interest rates on the horizon, the bank is forecasting larger house price declines than previously expected. ...Read more

Property
Which capital cities are most attractive to property investors?
A new survey has suggested that investor attention is shifting away from Australia’s two largest capital cities. ...Read more

Property
Market uncertainty fails to discourage foreign property investors
While interest from foreign investors in Australian property has remained strong, HLB Mann Judd warned that tax increases could see demand shift to other markets. ...Read more

Property
Regional renters forced to spend more of their income than ever before
Renters in regional areas are spending nearly as much on rent as home owners are spending on mortgage repayments. ...Read more

Property
Aussie home buyers now need to save for over 11 years for a deposit
Since early 2020, the time needed to save for a deposit has increased by more than two years. ...Read more

Property
HSBC forecasts 2023 house price decline of up to 10%
The firm had previously predicted a modest rise for house prices next year. ...Read more

Property
Perth house prices continue climbing to a record high
While growth may have come to an end in Sydney and Melbourne, Perth house prices are still on the rise. ...Read more

Property
Stamp duty significantly slowing path to purchase for FHB
Saving for a home takes years for the typical first-time buyer. In Australia’s largest cities, as much as two years are spent simply building up the funds to pay the cost of stamp duty, according to...Read more