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
North platform adds household reporting feature to boost adviser efficiency
AMP's North platform has launched consolidated household reporting across multiple client accounts, helping financial advisers streamline their client review processes. Read more

Property
What Adds The Most Value To Properties?
Wondering how to up the value of your property? Properties are worth a lot of money in general, but there’s always a way to maximise value. The good news is that most of the things you can do to ...Read more

Property
Centuria reports strong growth in alternative real estate sectors for FY24
Centuria Capital Group has reported significant growth in alternative real estate sectors for the 2024 financial year, driving stable performance and increased guidance for FY25. Read more

Property
How to leverage equity in your home for investment or renovation
Home equity, the value of your property minus any debts owed, is a powerful financial resource many homeowners in Australia can utilize to further their financial goals. Whether you're looking to ...Read more

Property
Exploring REITs: Real estate investment without buying property
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a compelling investment alternative for those interested in the real estate market but may not want to endure the complexities and capital requirements of ...Read more

Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more

Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more

Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more

Property
North platform adds household reporting feature to boost adviser efficiency
AMP's North platform has launched consolidated household reporting across multiple client accounts, helping financial advisers streamline their client review processes. Read more

Property
What Adds The Most Value To Properties?
Wondering how to up the value of your property? Properties are worth a lot of money in general, but there’s always a way to maximise value. The good news is that most of the things you can do to ...Read more

Property
Centuria reports strong growth in alternative real estate sectors for FY24
Centuria Capital Group has reported significant growth in alternative real estate sectors for the 2024 financial year, driving stable performance and increased guidance for FY25. Read more

Property
How to leverage equity in your home for investment or renovation
Home equity, the value of your property minus any debts owed, is a powerful financial resource many homeowners in Australia can utilize to further their financial goals. Whether you're looking to ...Read more

Property
Exploring REITs: Real estate investment without buying property
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a compelling investment alternative for those interested in the real estate market but may not want to endure the complexities and capital requirements of ...Read more

Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more

Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more

Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more