Folks, today we’re tackling your questions around some tough topics!
Because chances are, you’ve heard about the amendments that’ve recently been passed on Victoria’s Residential Tenancies Act — laws that allow tenants to keep pets and make ‘minor’ modifications to the property, regardless of the landlord’s wishes.
So we’re going to give our take on this, as well as take a deep dive on “Legoland” and whether or not these properties are worth considering if they’re sitting in a good location. Plus a certain Donald Trump gets a mention, as does the interest rate rise we’ve seen from the big banks right here on our home turf!
And why the tough topics now?
Well folks, it’s pretty simple… we’ve sweated out our brand new book, Make Money Simple Again (Get 30% off here), and now that it’s off to the printers… we’re ready to take on some of your other challenges!
Before we kick it off, just a shout out that PICA’S holding a limited-seating event on Tuesday 18th September at 6pm — to discuss on the amendments to the Victorian Residential Tenancy Act…
This is an exclusive event (only 60 seats available) with Yvonne Martin and will take place at Madgwicks Lawyers, Level 6, 140 William Street, Melbourne.
Register Here: PICA – Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act
And yes,
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But back to the tricky Q & A….
Question — Chris on Tenancy Changes
I’m disappointed at your quick video overview regarding proposed rental tenancy changes in Victoria. I have no problem with most of the suggested changes but, how can you not be alarmed at tenants being given the right to have pets and make modifications deemed ‘minor’ – whatever that means? We are not just talking about picture hooks here! After investigating further, this may include security measures and air conditioning! Who pays for these? You flippantly dismiss the pet comment with a remark about ’tiles’. Are you serious??? What about carpets and polished floorboards taking a pounding from pets’ claws and their excrement! I will tell you from experience that any sort of steam cleaning and fumigating of carpets etc….even at the tenant’s expense is not the answer. I’ve had to on at least two occasions (where both urine and faecal matter was so prevalent) had no choice, but to change the carpets! Forget the floorboards – too damn expensive to re-sand and polish! Please tell me that these abovementioned points are also concerns for you?
SpeakPipe Question – Emma on Rate Statement showing a Decline
I have a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 car spot investment apartment in Maribyrnong. I’ve just noticed on my new rate statement that the Capital Improved Value and the Site Value have decreased. It is a long term investment, should I be worried? Or should I just enjoy the lower rates this year? Thanks!
SpeakPipe Question — Lucas about Trump and IO Loans
… As we know, America runs at huge deficits, and Trump’s now starting trade wars with a whole bunch of economic blocks and their interest rates are going up so it’s going to be harder for them to service their debt. Deficits are going to become bigger & in case that backfires, and causes another GFC situation, what impact will Trump have on the Australian housing market? And, also, we’ll probably have another compounding problem with tougher lending criteria and people having less opportunity to roll interest-only with banks. So I’d like to know what you think will happen to the property market if these things happen, which is the worst case scenario. Thank you.
Question — Nick on History of Sales
Hi, I am a casual listener of the podcast and a first time buyer looking for a place to live in Melbourne. We have found a townhouse in Thornbury, a property that ticks all the boxes for us and looks like a good price. However, the property is selling for only a fraction over that which it was purchased in 2014 and is amongst about 50 of other similar townhouses — the property next door is also for sale. It is probably the best located/nicest property we can afford that we have found in Melbourne but those seem like red flags from an investment point of view. I thought I might just ask and see if you might be able to point us in the right direction as to how much we should read into previous sale prices and also about what saturation means in the townhouse market? Thank you and keep up the rad podcasts!