In today's unpredictable reality, with its constantly rising rent and property dramas, the sun seems to be peeking out from behind the clouds for Aussie tenants. Tired of the annual 'Rent Increase Notification' that adds another worry to our growing stack of bills? Brace yourself for a huge change! If the currently contemplated proposal sails smoothly through the decision sea, Australian tenants—especially those in Victoria—could witness a two-year freeze of their rents.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that his Labor government is considering this rent freeze. This isn’t the first time such an idea has been floated. Remember in 2019 when Melbourne introduced a one-year rent freeze? The move was largely appreciated by tenants trying to keep up with the cost of living crunch.

'We introduced a one-year freeze, along with 130 other amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, because reform in this space was crucial,' Andrews told reporters.

'I'm not ruling out further changes,' he added.

Kelly, a working mother in Victoria, is one of many Australians struggling with escalating rent.

'The annual hike played havoc with my budgeting. Just when I thought I had my finances organised, the rent increase would throw everything into disarray. A rent freeze would be a welcomed blessing.'

Andrews is also the first state premier to consider the Greens' suggestion of a two-year rent freeze. At the national level, the Greens have promised to obstruct the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which aims to erect 30,000 new social houses, until they agree to a two-year freeze of rents.

Image by tierramallorca from unsplash

​

We’ve already witnessed Queensland following suit, introducing a one-year freeze on rent in July. However, the proposal of a two-year freeze doesn't seem to have enthusiasts yet.

Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory has a unique approach to protect renters from arbitrarily inflated rents when renewing leases.

Andrew Barr, Labor Chief Minister of ACT, has been championing an initiative since 2019 that caps rent increases to a maximum of 10% beyond inflation. With the inflation rate currently at 5.6%, any hike in rent can only be a slight 0.56% more and no more than 6.16%.

On the other side of the coin, this proposition could dent the enthusiasm of property owners planning to rent out properties, eventually shrinking the availability of housing and indirectly triggering a surge in rental costs.

According to Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins, 'The overwhelming evidence suggests that it doesn't work.' She further explained to host David Speers on ABC Insiders, suggesting that while a rent freeze may provide immediate relief, it could potentially shrink the supply of housing over time.

How will this proposed solution interact with the global rental scene? If we look at Berlin, Germany, authorities there also introduced a five-year rent cap in 2020 to battle the housing crisis. But in 2021, Germany's top court overturned this law, stating it encroached on federal jurisdiction, turning the dream into a short-lived reality. So, the efficacy of a rent freeze is still a topic of global debate.

The ray of sunshine amidst this discussion is that should the Andrews government dive into the ocean of a two-year rent freeze, relief awaits two million Aussie tenants. Considering the 2021 Census data, where we learned that Victoria—home to 6.704 million people—has 28.5% of its population living in rented homes, this move could bring much-needed reprieve from the rising cost of living many have no choice but to deal with.

To provide a visual understanding, look at this infographic comparing average rent rates across various Australian cities.

The median unit rent in June 2023. Image Credit: SDC

If we shift our glance to the rent rates across Australian cities, we note that Melbourne's combined house and unit rents have leapt by a hefty 19.9% over the past year, averaging $582.50 a week, as per SQM Research data. While it's far cheaper than Sydney's median weekly rent of $784, Brisbane's average of $618, or Perth's $619, it outpaces Adelaide's $530 and Hobart's $495.

Now, let's navigate down a different alley. Do you know as a tenant, you hold significant rights? Australian law ensures that your basic rights as a tenant are protected. For instance, the rental property should be safe and secure, fit for you to live in, and you should not be unfairly evicted. Make sure to familiarise yourself with your rights, it’s always handy to know!

Key Takeaways

• Two million tenants could potentially receive a rent freeze for two years under a proposed Victorian plan.
• Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the Labor government is considering the idea, having previously enforced a one-year rent freeze in 2019.
• The federal Greens have said they will block the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund unless a two-year rent freeze is also implemented.
• Critics argue that rent controls discourage investors from renting out properties, reducing supply and raising market prices.

If you find yourself navigating choppy renting waters, here are quick and easy negotiation strategies you can use during rent discussions:

1. Research local market rates.
2. Prepare a convincing and realistic budget.
3. Approach your landlord professionally and kindly.

Remember, communication is key. Never shy away from addressing your concerns with your landlord.

That’s our roundup of the rental landscape at the moment. Are you for or against the proposed two-year rent freeze? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Some landlords are greedy and continue to put rents up. But there are different scenarios.

My daughter and hubby purchased a house in 2018 and rented it out until they were ready to move in ( they were living with inlaws ) they moved in earlier this year .
In 5 years they never increased the rent once, they gave the tenants 6 months notice .
After six months the tenants refused to move out and were taken to the tribunal and were given another 6 weeks to 7 1/2 MONTHS to move out. When they finally moved out my daughter found a lot of damage .

Another daughter single mum with 3 kids her rent just went up $60 aweek.

I understand putting a rent freeze but it's a catch 22 , mortgages have gone up ( my daughter is paying $300 more a week ) so landlords are putting up rent because their mortgage is going up.

It's a terrible situation, and there are two sides to every story .

 

[mylittletibbies]

Some landlords are greedy and continue to put rents up. But there are different scenarios.

My daughter and hubby purchased a house in 2018 and rented it out until they were ready to move in ( they were living with inlaws ) they moved in earlier this year .
In 5 years they never increased the rent once, they gave the tenants 6 months notice .
After six months the tenants refused to move out and were taken to the tribunal and were given another 6 weeks to 7 1/2 MONTHS to move out. When they finally moved out my daughter found a lot of damage .

Another daughter single mum with 3 kids her rent just went up $60 aweek.

I understand putting a rent freeze but it's a catch 22 , mortgages have gone up ( my daughter is paying $300 more a week ) so landlords are putting up rent because their mortgage is going up.

It's a terrible situation, and there are two sides to every story .

Absolutely correct,

Some landlords are greedy and continue to put rents up. But there are different scenarios.

My daughter and hubby purchased a house in 2018 and rented it out until they were ready to move in ( they were living with inlaws ) they moved in earlier this year .
In 5 years they never increased the rent once, they gave the tenants 6 months notice .
After six months the tenants refused to move out and were taken to the tribunal and were given another 6 weeks to 7 1/2 MONTHS to move out. When they finally moved out my daughter found a lot of damage .

Another daughter single mum with 3 kids her rent just went up $60 aweek.

I understand putting a rent freeze but it's a catch 22 , mortgages have gone up ( my daughter is paying $300 more a week ) so landlords are putting up rent because their mortgage is going up.

It's a terrible situation, and there are two sides to every story .

Absolutely correct, we have a rental property which we lease out at a very reasonable rent, but as a landlord I would.not be impressed if I was being told by some govt authority that I couldn't increase the rent if our circumstances changed and a rent increase became necessary.
We only charge our tenants $300/week for a very nice 3x1, modern bathroom and kitchen, way below the average rent. If they were to have a 2 year rent freeze, we would be caught up in that also, meaning should we raise our tenants rent now, something we were not contemplating.
Not all landlords are wealthy and I definitely think it would make many of them consider selling up, there are plenty of buyers around looking to purchase homes for their own accommodation. This would create an even tighter rental market with less properties available for rent.
I have no idea what the answer is to this dilemma. How did our once lucky country get into this mess.

 

[Leenie]

I feel empathy for the landlord and tenant who are stuck in this situation,the problem is the fault of both fed.gov.and state. States are dragging their feet and fed gov is exasperating the situation by bring thousands of migrants when they know this problem exists.
So what is their agenda?

 

[mylittletibbies]

Good

I feel empathy for the landlord and tenant who are stuck in this situation,the problem is the fault of both fed.gov.and state. States are dragging their feet and fed gov is exasperating the situation by bring thousands of migrants when they know this problem exists.
So what is their agenda?

Good question

 

[kallen]

Rental Assistance and other Centrelink thresholds like the Low Income healthcare card need increasing to accommodate the cost of living. They are 25 years out of date. Stocks of public housing need drastic increases with low income earners who qualify for housing don't have to wait years.... with the option of renting only, or renting to buy available.

 

[Balkan]

My pension is $876 per fortnight and my latest 6 monthly rent increases is now $840 per fortnight, id like some advice on how much longer can I survive on $36 a fortnight

 

[mylittletibbies]

There areli

Rental Assistance and other Centrelink thresholds like the Low Income healthcare card need increasing to accommodate the cost of living. They are 25 years out of date. Stocks of public housing need drastic increases with low income earners who qualify for housing don't have to wait years.... with the option of renting only, or renting to buy available.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of state owned homes and units all over the country sitting empty, in need of upgrading and repairs.
Some tenants absolutely trash the properties and believe it or not are given another one. Too bad about the poor people spending years on the waiting list.
How do I know this, my husband and I, many years ago, were offered permanent work doing these repairs.
We declined, some of the properties were just too disgusting to enter.
That is saying something as we have flipped some pretty crappy houses over the years
There definitely needs to be tighter controls over state housing, I don't think they ever do inspections, as some of these properties could not get into this condition if they did.
False economy, as usual, better to pay wages to property inspection staff, than forking out astronomical amounts for repairs.

 

[mylittletibbies]

My pension is $876 per fortnight and my latest 6 monthly rent increases is now $840 per fortnight, id like some advice on how much longer can I survive on $36 a fortnight

How come you only get $876/fortnight. The pension is now$1064/ft or thereabouts. You need to check this out, unless you have other income.

 

[Elizabeth Ross]

In today's unpredictable reality, with its constantly rising rent and property dramas, the sun seems to be peeking out from behind the clouds for Aussie tenants. Tired of the annual 'Rent Increase Notification' that adds another worry to our growing stack of bills? Brace yourself for a huge change! If the currently contemplated proposal sails smoothly through the decision sea, Australian tenants—especially those in Victoria—could witness a two-year freeze of their rents.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that his Labor government is considering this rent freeze. This isn’t the first time such an idea has been floated. Remember in 2019 when Melbourne introduced a one-year rent freeze? The move was largely appreciated by tenants trying to keep up with the cost of living crunch.

'We introduced a one-year freeze, along with 130 other amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, because reform in this space was crucial,' Andrews told reporters.

'I'm not ruling out further changes,' he added.

Kelly, a working mother in Victoria, is one of many Australians struggling with escalating rent.

'The annual hike played havoc with my budgeting. Just when I thought I had my finances organised, the rent increase would throw everything into disarray. A rent freeze would be a welcomed blessing.'

Andrews is also the first state premier to consider the Greens' suggestion of a two-year rent freeze. At the national level, the Greens have promised to obstruct the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which aims to erect 30,000 new social houses, until they agree to a two-year freeze of rents.

Image by tierramallorca from unsplash

​

We’ve already witnessed Queensland following suit, introducing a one-year freeze on rent in July. However, the proposal of a two-year freeze doesn't seem to have enthusiasts yet.

Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory has a unique approach to protect renters from arbitrarily inflated rents when renewing leases.

Andrew Barr, Labor Chief Minister of ACT, has been championing an initiative since 2019 that caps rent increases to a maximum of 10% beyond inflation. With the inflation rate currently at 5.6%, any hike in rent can only be a slight 0.56% more and no more than 6.16%.

On the other side of the coin, this proposition could dent the enthusiasm of property owners planning to rent out properties, eventually shrinking the availability of housing and indirectly triggering a surge in rental costs.

According to Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins, 'The overwhelming evidence suggests that it doesn't work.' She further explained to host David Speers on ABC Insiders, suggesting that while a rent freeze may provide immediate relief, it could potentially shrink the supply of housing over time.

How will this proposed solution interact with the global rental scene? If we look at Berlin, Germany, authorities there also introduced a five-year rent cap in 2020 to battle the housing crisis. But in 2021, Germany's top court overturned this law, stating it encroached on federal jurisdiction, turning the dream into a short-lived reality. So, the efficacy of a rent freeze is still a topic of global debate.

The ray of sunshine amidst this discussion is that should the Andrews government dive into the ocean of a two-year rent freeze, relief awaits two million Aussie tenants. Considering the 2021 Census data, where we learned that Victoria—home to 6.704 million people—has 28.5% of its population living in rented homes, this move could bring much-needed reprieve from the rising cost of living many have no choice but to deal with.

To provide a visual understanding, look at this infographic comparing average rent rates across various Australian cities.

View attachment 25900

The median unit rent in June 2023. Image Credit: SDC

If we shift our glance to the rent rates across Australian cities, we note that Melbourne's combined house and unit rents have leapt by a hefty 19.9% over the past year, averaging $582.50 a week, as per SQM Research data. While it's far cheaper than Sydney's median weekly rent of $784, Brisbane's average of $618, or Perth's $619, it outpaces Adelaide's $530 and Hobart's $495.

Now, let's navigate down a different alley. Do you know as a tenant, you hold significant rights? Australian law ensures that your basic rights as a tenant are protected. For instance, the rental property should be safe and secure, fit for you to live in, and you should not be unfairly evicted. Make sure to familiarise yourself with your rights, it’s always handy to know!

Key Takeaways

• Two million tenants could potentially receive a rent freeze for two years under a proposed Victorian plan.
• Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the Labor government is considering the idea, having previously enforced a one-year rent freeze in 2019.
• The federal Greens have said they will block the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund unless a two-year rent freeze is also implemented.
• Critics argue that rent controls discourage investors from renting out properties, reducing supply and raising market prices.

If you find yourself navigating choppy renting waters, here are quick and easy negotiation strategies you can use during rent discussions:

1. Research local market rates.
2. Prepare a convincing and realistic budget.
3. Approach your landlord professionally and kindly.

Remember, communication is key. Never shy away from addressing your concerns with your landlord.

That’s our roundup of the rental landscape at the moment. Are you for or against the proposed two-year rent freeze? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

 

[Elizabeth Ross]

Maybe the government can freeze all increased prices for EVERYTHING not just rents. As a landlord of 40years providing housing for hundreds of people over that time, I cannot accept a rent freeze when everything else is on the rise. What about the owners of properties with all the interest rate rises? Do they just have to accept the extra cost? I will be forced to sell and invest elsewhere without the hassle of dealing with tenants. The government can then build their own rentals and cope with some tenants who are very entitled and unfortunately getting worse.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I hear what y

Maybe the government can freeze all increased prices for EVERYTHING not just rents. As a landlord of 40years providing housing for hundreds of people over that time, I cannot accept a rent freeze when everything else is on the rise. What about the owners of properties with all the interest rate rises? Do they just have to accept the extra cost? I will be forced to sell and invest elsewhere without the hassle of dealing with tenants. The government can then build their own rentals and cope with some tenants who are very entitled and unfortunately getting worse.

I hear what you're saying, it is definitely not worth having a rental property these days.They talk about bad landlords, and I know there are plenty, but there are also bad tenants, more than good ones I have found over the years.
We have every intention of selling our rental property when the lease is up, can't be bothered with the hassles anymore.

 

[Taryn Gillan]

In today's unpredictable reality, with its constantly rising rent and property dramas, the sun seems to be peeking out from behind the clouds for Aussie tenants. Tired of the annual 'Rent Increase Notification' that adds another worry to our growing stack of bills? Brace yourself for a huge change! If the currently contemplated proposal sails smoothly through the decision sea, Australian tenants—especially those in Victoria—could witness a two-year freeze of their rents.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that his Labor government is considering this rent freeze. This isn’t the first time such an idea has been floated. Remember in 2019 when Melbourne introduced a one-year rent freeze? The move was largely appreciated by tenants trying to keep up with the cost of living crunch.

'We introduced a one-year freeze, along with 130 other amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, because reform in this space was crucial,' Andrews told reporters.

'I'm not ruling out further changes,' he added.

Kelly, a working mother in Victoria, is one of many Australians struggling with escalating rent.

'The annual hike played havoc with my budgeting. Just when I thought I had my finances organised, the rent increase would throw everything into disarray. A rent freeze would be a welcomed blessing.'

Andrews is also the first state premier to consider the Greens' suggestion of a two-year rent freeze. At the national level, the Greens have promised to obstruct the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which aims to erect 30,000 new social houses, until they agree to a two-year freeze of rents.

Image by tierramallorca from unsplash

​

We’ve already witnessed Queensland following suit, introducing a one-year freeze on rent in July. However, the proposal of a two-year freeze doesn't seem to have enthusiasts yet.

Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory has a unique approach to protect renters from arbitrarily inflated rents when renewing leases.

Andrew Barr, Labor Chief Minister of ACT, has been championing an initiative since 2019 that caps rent increases to a maximum of 10% beyond inflation. With the inflation rate currently at 5.6%, any hike in rent can only be a slight 0.56% more and no more than 6.16%.

On the other side of the coin, this proposition could dent the enthusiasm of property owners planning to rent out properties, eventually shrinking the availability of housing and indirectly triggering a surge in rental costs.

According to Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins, 'The overwhelming evidence suggests that it doesn't work.' She further explained to host David Speers on ABC Insiders, suggesting that while a rent freeze may provide immediate relief, it could potentially shrink the supply of housing over time.

How will this proposed solution interact with the global rental scene? If we look at Berlin, Germany, authorities there also introduced a five-year rent cap in 2020 to battle the housing crisis. But in 2021, Germany's top court overturned this law, stating it encroached on federal jurisdiction, turning the dream into a short-lived reality. So, the efficacy of a rent freeze is still a topic of global debate.

The ray of sunshine amidst this discussion is that should the Andrews government dive into the ocean of a two-year rent freeze, relief awaits two million Aussie tenants. Considering the 2021 Census data, where we learned that Victoria—home to 6.704 million people—has 28.5% of its population living in rented homes, this move could bring much-needed reprieve from the rising cost of living many have no choice but to deal with.

To provide a visual understanding, look at this infographic comparing average rent rates across various Australian cities.

View attachment 25900

The median unit rent in June 2023. Image Credit: SDC

If we shift our glance to the rent rates across Australian cities, we note that Melbourne's combined house and unit rents have leapt by a hefty 19.9% over the past year, averaging $582.50 a week, as per SQM Research data. While it's far cheaper than Sydney's median weekly rent of $784, Brisbane's average of $618, or Perth's $619, it outpaces Adelaide's $530 and Hobart's $495.

Now, let's navigate down a different alley. Do you know as a tenant, you hold significant rights? Australian law ensures that your basic rights as a tenant are protected. For instance, the rental property should be safe and secure, fit for you to live in, and you should not be unfairly evicted. Make sure to familiarise yourself with your rights, it’s always handy to know!

Key Takeaways

• Two million tenants could potentially receive a rent freeze for two years under a proposed Victorian plan.
• Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the Labor government is considering the idea, having previously enforced a one-year rent freeze in 2019.
• The federal Greens have said they will block the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund unless a two-year rent freeze is also implemented.
• Critics argue that rent controls discourage investors from renting out properties, reducing supply and raising market prices.

If you find yourself navigating choppy renting waters, here are quick and easy negotiation strategies you can use during rent discussions:

1. Research local market rates.
2. Prepare a convincing and realistic budget.
3. Approach your landlord professionally and kindly.

Remember, communication is key. Never shy away from addressing your concerns with your landlord.

That’s our roundup of the rental landscape at the moment. Are you for or against the proposed two-year rent freeze? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

My family an I were living in a large home and paying $650 per week. At the end of our lease we were told the owners wanted to do renovations on the home and we had to move out. After a really trying time of searching for a new rental we finally got one, a bit smaller and in a suburb miles away from our last home but took it as we were so worn out from looking with hundreds of other people. Shortly after moving we saw our previous home advertised for $900 people (no renovations were done). A lot of other people have reported this happening. Moving every 1-2 years is so stressful and not fair!!

 

[lainy5]

We have a rental as part of our Superfund. We try our hardest to help out our tenants by not putting up rent but the Govt are not making that possible.
GOVTS SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INCREASING CIST OF RENTING.
Every expense that has to be paid has increased beyond affordability to make any sort of return on the investment. STATE LAND TAX, COUNCIL RATES, WATER CONNECTION FEES, INSURANCE, MAINTENANCE. Etc

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

In today's unpredictable reality, with its constantly rising rent and property dramas, the sun seems to be peeking out from behind the clouds for Aussie tenants. Tired of the annual 'Rent Increase Notification' that adds another worry to our growing stack of bills? Brace yourself for a huge change! If the currently contemplated proposal sails smoothly through the decision sea, Australian tenants—especially those in Victoria—could witness a two-year freeze of their rents.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that his Labor government is considering this rent freeze. This isn’t the first time such an idea has been floated. Remember in 2019 when Melbourne introduced a one-year rent freeze? The move was largely appreciated by tenants trying to keep up with the cost of living crunch.

'We introduced a one-year freeze, along with 130 other amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, because reform in this space was crucial,' Andrews told reporters.

'I'm not ruling out further changes,' he added.

Kelly, a working mother in Victoria, is one of many Australians struggling with escalating rent.

'The annual hike played havoc with my budgeting. Just when I thought I had my finances organised, the rent increase would throw everything into disarray. A rent freeze would be a welcomed blessing.'

Andrews is also the first state premier to consider the Greens' suggestion of a two-year rent freeze. At the national level, the Greens have promised to obstruct the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which aims to erect 30,000 new social houses, until they agree to a two-year freeze of rents.

Image by tierramallorca from unsplash

​

We’ve already witnessed Queensland following suit, introducing a one-year freeze on rent in July. However, the proposal of a two-year freeze doesn't seem to have enthusiasts yet.

Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory has a unique approach to protect renters from arbitrarily inflated rents when renewing leases.

Andrew Barr, Labor Chief Minister of ACT, has been championing an initiative since 2019 that caps rent increases to a maximum of 10% beyond inflation. With the inflation rate currently at 5.6%, any hike in rent can only be a slight 0.56% more and no more than 6.16%.

On the other side of the coin, this proposition could dent the enthusiasm of property owners planning to rent out properties, eventually shrinking the availability of housing and indirectly triggering a surge in rental costs.

According to Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins, 'The overwhelming evidence suggests that it doesn't work.' She further explained to host David Speers on ABC Insiders, suggesting that while a rent freeze may provide immediate relief, it could potentially shrink the supply of housing over time.

How will this proposed solution interact with the global rental scene? If we look at Berlin, Germany, authorities there also introduced a five-year rent cap in 2020 to battle the housing crisis. But in 2021, Germany's top court overturned this law, stating it encroached on federal jurisdiction, turning the dream into a short-lived reality. So, the efficacy of a rent freeze is still a topic of global debate.

The ray of sunshine amidst this discussion is that should the Andrews government dive into the ocean of a two-year rent freeze, relief awaits two million Aussie tenants. Considering the 2021 Census data, where we learned that Victoria—home to 6.704 million people—has 28.5% of its population living in rented homes, this move could bring much-needed reprieve from the rising cost of living many have no choice but to deal with.

To provide a visual understanding, look at this infographic comparing average rent rates across various Australian cities.

View attachment 25900

The median unit rent in June 2023. Image Credit: SDC

If we shift our glance to the rent rates across Australian cities, we note that Melbourne's combined house and unit rents have leapt by a hefty 19.9% over the past year, averaging $582.50 a week, as per SQM Research data. While it's far cheaper than Sydney's median weekly rent of $784, Brisbane's average of $618, or Perth's $619, it outpaces Adelaide's $530 and Hobart's $495.

Now, let's navigate down a different alley. Do you know as a tenant, you hold significant rights? Australian law ensures that your basic rights as a tenant are protected. For instance, the rental property should be safe and secure, fit for you to live in, and you should not be unfairly evicted. Make sure to familiarise yourself with your rights, it’s always handy to know!

Key Takeaways

• Two million tenants could potentially receive a rent freeze for two years under a proposed Victorian plan.
• Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the Labor government is considering the idea, having previously enforced a one-year rent freeze in 2019.
• The federal Greens have said they will block the Labor government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund unless a two-year rent freeze is also implemented.
• Critics argue that rent controls discourage investors from renting out properties, reducing supply and raising market prices.

If you find yourself navigating choppy renting waters, here are quick and easy negotiation strategies you can use during rent discussions:

1. Research local market rates.
2. Prepare a convincing and realistic budget.
3. Approach your landlord professionally and kindly.

Remember, communication is key. Never shy away from addressing your concerns with your landlord.

That’s our roundup of the rental landscape at the moment. Are you for or against the proposed two-year rent freeze? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Definitely not, I rent but I know my landlord would only increase rent proportionate to any increase in costs, maybe a facility for some renters, who have greedy landlords and ma and pa landlords who think increases in their cost of living should be underwritten by the renter, can be turned to to appeal excessive increases as we have seen lately.

 

[Rob44]

A rent freeze? That's fine.

However the following also needs to occur.
1) A council rates freeze.
2) Water-supply cost freeze.
3) Insurance-costs freeze.
4) Corporate-body costs freeze.
5) A complete freeze on the costs of all building materials.
6) A complete freeze on all tradies' labour and travel-time charges.
7) A complete freeze on mortgage interest rates.

All these are charges paid by the landlord on behalf of the tenant.

And whilst about it, raise the Old-age pension to $66 000 per year per couple.A major issue is that those of my age recognised that as of the1983 Hawke-Keating ALP we would have to invest in some private system for our pensions if we didn't want to starve to death in our dotage. Some managed to save to buy investment properties, some went private super and paid assorted advisors' fees and got caught by such scams as the Great Financial Crash of 2007-2008 and thus lost money. So far property proved safest as no financial con-artist could walk off with a percentage, as it could be sold or rented to enable a living of perhaps about $48 000 a year for a couple if they had been able to afford to buy between 2 and 3 3-BR investment properties and those properties represented a reserve that could be sold if essential.

However, with a decent government-guaranteed Old-age Pension and a properly working Public Health Service not to mention decent public transport AND a government committed to building social-housing to keep up with social need, that "greedy landlord" approach would not have been essential. But this is Australia, not the "socialist" Britain that I was brought up in from the 1940s to 1970s.

 

[Suzanne rose]

What I can see happening is before the rental freeze goes into place alot of rents are going to go up

 

[Rob44]

I hear what y
I hear what you're saying, it is definitely not worth having a rental property these days.They talk about bad landlords, and I know there are plenty, but there are also bad tenants, more than good ones I have found over the years.
We have every intention of selling our rental property when the lease is up, can't be bothered with the hassles anymore.

"bad tenants, more than good ones I have found over the years".

Yes.

 

[Rob44]

There areli
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of state owned homes and units all over the country sitting empty, in need of upgrading and repairs.
Some tenants absolutely trash the properties and believe it or not are given another one. Too bad about the poor people spending years on the waiting list.
How do I know this, my husband and I, many years ago, were offered permanent work doing these repairs.
We declined, some of the properties were just too disgusting to enter.
That is saying something as we have flipped some pretty crappy houses over the years
There definitely needs to be tighter controls over state housing, I don't think they ever do inspections, as some of these properties could not get into this condition if they did.
False economy, as usual, better to pay wages to property inspection staff, than forking out astronomical amounts for repairs.

Australia is very good at short-term thinking by our incompetent overpaid politicians

 

[Rob44]

Rental Assistance and other Centrelink thresholds like the Low Income healthcare card need increasing to accommodate the cost of living. They are 25 years out of date. Stocks of public housing need drastic increases with low income earners who qualify for housing don't have to wait years.... with the option of renting only, or renting to buy available.

Just pay a decent government-garanteed Old-age Pension to all; that would be a start.