We cover a lot of ground in this week’s chat with journalist and author Sue Williams, including two old favourites – Airbnb and pet bans – and a brand new concept (to us at least) negative interest.
Yes, you know all about negative gearing and you may have even encountered negative equity, but Sue was hearing about negative interest at a Property Summit sponsored by The Australian Financial Review and Commercial Real Estate.
But before we get to that, do you get the feeling that the walls are closing in on Airbnb in Australia? It’s not just the new regulations being considered by the NSW government, now WA has come up with its own plans for holiday letting in the not-so-wild West (which you can read all about HERE).
Which leads us to wonder, what was Victoria thinking when it basically handed over the keys to the high-rise kingdom to holiday letting landlords? It’s not just about tourist dollars, we (okay, I) reckon the Victorian state government actively hates strata residents.
Maybe they despise us because we are home owners, or because we have chosen to rent an apartment rather than a house like the one our parents used to live in.
But wherever the complete lack of empathy comes from, apartment pioneers are making it easier for politicians to grow the city without having to build a new freeway every six months. A little respect and concern, please.
Sue Williams, meanwhile, has tracked down a story that could mean the end of pet bans in all but a few apartment blocks in NSW
After years of trying to overturn a blanket ban on pets in the huge Elan high-rise in Kings Cross, one owner there has finally had a win at NCAT. A senior Tribunal Member has decreed that the Elan’s by-law banning all pets under any circumstances (apart from assistance animals) is “discriminatory and oppressive”.
Campaigners hope this will lead to all similar blanket bans across NSW being rescinded. But what about the people whose religion or health concerns don’t allow them to live in the same buildings as animals?
And finally Sue was at a Property Summit last week, where she found out all about negative interest. That’s where banks will basically pay you to take a loan with them, in the hope that you’ll stay with them when the ten-year fixed term runs out.
Ten years of free money? Sign me up now! That’s all on this week’s Flat Chat Wrap.
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