Australia’s property rent freeze that is presently before the parliament has been closely watched by industry commentators, along with most real estate agents like Suzana Wade, Principal and Licensee of Locate Property in Brisbane. She believes that the rent freeze is a terrible idea that could have serious negative effects on both landlords and tenants because she is a real estate expert with years of experience in the field.
For a set period of time, a property rent freeze would set a cap on how much landlords could raise rent on their properties. While it might seem like a good idea to shield tenants from rising housing costs, in the long run, it might backfire. A rent freeze, in Suzana’s opinion, would result in several undesirable outcomes, including:
- Rent freezes would make it less appealing for landlords to make improvements to and keep up the standard of maintenance on their properties. If landlords are unable to raise their rents, they might not have the money to make the required repairs and improvements, which would ultimately result in a decline in the caliber of rental properties.
- Reduced availability of rental properties: Landlords may decide to sell their properties or put them to other uses, like short-term vacation rentals, if they are unable to raise rents to keep up with rising costs. This might result in a decline in the number of rental homes available, making it harder and more expensive for tenants to find suitable housing.
- A rent freeze would also put landlords at risk, especially those who depend on rental income to cover their mortgage payments and other expenses. Landlords might be forced to sell their properties or run into financial trouble if they are unable to raise rents.
There has been a significant backlash against Australia’s proposed rent freeze as a result of these and other worries. Suzana and many others in the real estate sector think the proposal won’t likely pass. To make sure that any upcoming housing policies are just and advantageous for all parties involved, she nevertheless urges all landlords and tenants to stay informed and actively participate in the discussion.
For the REIQ’s own article on the matter please refer to that here – REIQ RENT FREEZE ARTICLE