Earlier this week, I appeared before a Senate Inquiry on behalf of the real estate industry looking into renters’ rights.
It is widely recognised that insufficient supply of housing is the main cause of rising rents. It’s a simply supply and demand equation; low supply plus high demand equals higher rents. Astonishingly, the main supplier of the rental homes - family investors – are ignored by governments and are actively vilified by the Greens.
Policies that disincentivise the suppliers of rental homes, such as rent caps or rent freezes, end up diminishing the supply and rents continue to rise. It is baffling that the Greens continue to oppose the Housing Australia Future Fund legislation which aims to supply affordable housing, but reckon imposing a two-year rent freeze (which sees investors sell) would improve long-term rental affordability.
Instead of playing politics, the Real Estate Institute of Australia has come up with a ten-point plan to help tenants:
Meanwhile, you can contribute to the debate by making a submission to the Inquiry. Just search, “Worsening Rental Crisis” and go to the parliamentary page.