The Victorian Government has secured the passage of the Building Legislation and Treasury Legislation (Tax Relief) Amendment Bill 2026, introducing a suite of reforms aimed at improving consumer protection and confidence in the apartment market.

Resilience Insurance, Australia’s leading Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) provider, has welcomed the move.

The LDI elements of the Bill passed with bipartisan support and now moves to the Legislative Council where debate and passage are expected later this month. It represents a significant milestone in the national shift toward stronger, longer-term protection for apartment buyers.&nbsp;

The reform would deliver practical benefits across the housing system. Apartment owners will have stronger protection if major defects emerge, developers and builders will have a clearer quality framework to work within, and the State will reduce the risk of serious building failures becoming a long-term financial and social burden for households, communities and government.&nbsp;

LDI helps support apartment delivery while providing stronger protection for buyers and encouraging better construction outcomes.&nbsp;

Resilience LDI provides apartment owners with 10 years of insurance-backed cover for major structural defects from completion, with direct claim access to the insurer. This means owners are not required to first pursue developers or builders through costly legal action before accessing protection.&nbsp;

Resilience Insurance has been operating in Australia since 2022 and has already insured hundreds of development projects covering many thousands of apartments across Australia.&nbsp;

At approximately 1.8 per cent of build cost, it is a cost-competitive alternative to the traditional two per cent Strata Bond, bond while delivering significantly broader and longer protection.&nbsp;

“The Victorian Lower House vote shows that reforms like this succeed when they are practical, evidence-based and supported by industry," says Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

"Victoria is moving quickly on a reform that will make a real difference for apartment buyers, while supporting better building outcomes and greater confidence in apartment delivery.

“This is step one. We look forward to the Bill completing its passage through the Legislative Council and to working with government and industry to implement the framework effectively.”&nbsp;

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI): Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Consumer-first: Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Cost advantage: At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Market leader: Resilience Insurance is the first approved LDI provider in NSW.</li>
</ul>

The Building Legislation and Treasury Legislation (Tax Relief) Amendment Bill 2026 has passed the Victorian Lower House, putting Victoria on track to become the first state to legislate an industry workable LDI framework as a formal alternative to the Strata Building bond. 

Joel Robinson

10-year Latent Defects Insurance for new apartment buyers set to land in Victoria

Just a few months after acquiring a prime Broadbeach site on the corner of First Avenue and Surf Parade, family-run developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/raptis">Raptis</a> has filed fresh plans for a new apartment development.

Raptis is seeking to deliver a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-19-first-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4217">29-storey tower with 73 apartments</a> on the 818 sqm site. It will be the developer's seventh project in the suburb, as they are approaching completion of The Sterling on George Avenue.

There will be a pool, barbecue and outdoor dining area, residents lounge and dining, sauna and steam room, gym, and a Yoga and Pilates studio.

<img alt="Raptis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b554da3f-7344-49aa-b1c9-44cf459af0d7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%2010.41.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=zzjWu1iO1wnuYv4EV4fyOyf5nSXjGYut" />

Raptis Joint Managing Director, Evan Raptis, says they remain&nbsp;committed to developing quality infill sites across the Gold Coast in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

"This project continues our long track record of delivery in Broadbeach, and we look forward to bringing another premium development to this thriving precinct."

The announcement follows strong delivery momentum for Raptis, with The Sterling Broadbeach nearing completion and construction well underway on the final stage of the Waterpoint community adjacent to Harbour Town. The developer's continued investment in the Gold Coast reflects confidence in the region's apartment market fundamentals, underpinned by sustained Southeast Queensland population growth.&nbsp;

The outlook for the region is further bolstered by infrastructure investment tied to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, which is expected to drive continued economic and population growth across the SEQ corridor.&nbsp;

Subject to a favourable response from Gold Coast City Council, construction on the new First Avenue tower is targeted to commence before the end of 2026.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/it-s-all-in-the-family-four-decades-later-raptis-continues-to-shape-the-gold-coast-skyline">It’s all in the family: Four decades later, Raptis continues to shape the Gold Coast skyline</a>

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/raptis-secures-prime-surf-parade-site-for-next-broadbeach-apartment-development">Raptis secures prime Surf Parade site for next Broadbeach apartment development</a> 
&nbsp;

Gold Coast developer brings seventh Broadbeach project to market, targeting construction commencement before year end

First look: Raptis lodges plans for new 29-storey Broadbeach tower 

Brisbane development veteran Kevin Seymour's Seymour Group is set to deepen its presence on one of Brisbane's most tightly held riverfront addresses, lodging revised plans for a luxury apartment development on Oxlade, just a few doors down from The Oxlade, which it completed in 2024.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/70-72-oxlade-drive-new-farm-qld-4005">new project at 70-72 Oxlade Drive</a>, directly north of The Oxlade, will have 27 apartments across a seven-storey building&nbsp;overlooking the Brisbane River and Merthyr Park. It's a revision from a 2021-approved design.

Designed by bureau^proberts, the project has evolved from the previously approved 26-apartment scheme, introducing an additional penthouse level while maintaining a low-density, boutique character. The development will comprise 26 three-bedroom apartments and a single four-bedroom penthouse, supported by two basement levels with 86 car spaces and 34 bicycle spaces.

The architectural response is centred around two distinct building forms separated by a landscaped open-air atrium.&nbsp;"This dual composition captures and embraces Brisbane’s subtropical environment whilst breaking down built form and scale," the submission to the Brisbane City Council noted.

<img alt="First look: Seymour Group returns to Oxlade Drive with revised riverfront apartment plans in New Farm" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c12d84d0-bc11-4067-b46f-5bd2d786a34d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/new%20farm%20landscape.png?VersionId=YEPc2k5CAdh6aAPlu4uVpgZadh4MEfRd" />

A defining feature of the design is a deep landscaped void running through the centre of the building, creating what bureau^proberts describes as a "natural ravine" that enhances airflow, daylight penetration and resident amenity. The design report notes that the separation of the two building volumes is intended to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and outlook while strengthening connections to the surrounding riverfront setting.

Curved balcony edges, integrated planting and extensive landscaping throughout the façade reinforce the subtropical design approach. The building's façade is softened by elevated gardens and planter beds, creating a green edge that complements the established landscape character of Oxlade Drive and neighbouring Merthyr Park.

New Farm has become one of Brisbane's most sought-after suburbs for developers delivering premium downsizer-focused apartments.

GRAYA has been particularly active in the precinct, completing both Chalk and York in recent years, while construction of Moray House, being delivered for Spyre, is now nearing completion. Architect-turned-developer Joe Adsett recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/arcilla-new-farm-by-joe-adsett-28-maxwell-street-new-farm-qld-4005">Arcilla on Maxwell Street</a>, an exclusive collection of just nine apartments.

First look: Seymour Group returns to New Farm's Oxlade Drive with riverfront apartment plans

A new residential tower will be the first piece of a broader mixed-use precinct set to reshape a prominent Newcastle West site, with local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> bringing its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cambridge-quarter-newcastle-west-12-denison-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Cambridge Quarter</a> vision to market.

The first release, Tempo, will introduce 87 apartments across a 24-storey tower, marking Stage 1 of the residential component of a larger urban regeneration project planned for the western end of Newcastle's city centre, encompassing the former Cambridge Hotel site.

Positioned on Denison Street, Tempo has been designed as the inaugural building within Cambridge Quarter, a precinct that will ultimately combine apartments, retail activation and revitalised public spaces including the revamping of the Cambridge Hotel.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368853]

The tower will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including layouts with multipurpose rooms, catering to a broad cross-section of owner-occupiers. Apartment sizes range from around 60 sqm to 192 sqm, with a number of residences oriented to capture views across Newcastle Harbour, the city skyline and coastline.

GWH has emphasised liveability in the design, with open-plan layouts extending to generous balconies and terraces. Residents will have a choice of two interior palettes, while specifications include engineered stone benchtops, SMEG appliances, full-height bathroom tiling and secure building access. Premium upgrade packages will also be available.

Multiple rooftop resident retreats will provide communal outdoor space overlooking the harbour and city, offering an elevated amenity layer above the activity of the precinct below.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368851]

The broader Cambridge Quarter vision extends beyond the residential tower itself. Ground-level retail activation and landscaped public areas are planned throughout the precinct, creating a walkable neighbourhood environment connected to the surrounding renewal of Newcastle West. The Cambridge Hotel is also earmarked for future redevelopment into a family-friendly hospitality venue integrated with the new precinct.

The project is strategically positioned within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange, providing access to light rail, regional rail services and direct connections to Sydney. Residents will also be close to Honeysuckle, Newcastle Harbour and the city's beaches and coastal walkways.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368852]

For GWH, Cambridge Quarter represents one of its most significant Newcastle developments to date. The locally based developer, which has operated in the Hunter region since 1995, describes the project as a new chapter in the ongoing transformation of Newcastle West.

GWH Executive Director Jonathan Craig said the project had been shaped by a focus on creating lasting community connections.

"We take pride in creating places that last. Spaces where people feel connected, comfortable and a genuine sense of belonging," Craig said.

"Cambridge Quarter is something we are truly proud of, a place shaped by local knowledge, built with care and designed to be part of Newcastle's next chapter."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135876]

GWH unveils first release at landmark Cambridge Quarter precinct in Newcastle West

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Projects</a>,&nbsp;Rainbow Bay's busiest developer,&nbsp;has officially lodged plans for the largest development in its booming local portfolio, seeking approval for a further 88 apartments on Boundary Street.

The proposal&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">209–213 Boundary Street, Coolangatta</a>,&nbsp;marks the next chapter in the developer's transformation of the southern Gold Coast beachside precinct. It will be its fifth in the area, having already delivered Flow, Awaken and Esprit, while construction continues on the 38-apartment Radia. The new project would rise 57 metres above a consolidated 1,518 sqm site, on the same street as Radia and Esprit.

&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, the proposed development comprises 88 two and three-bedroom apartments across a contemporary podium-and-tower form that integrates extensive landscaping from street level through to the rooftop.

The tower would be delivered above a basement and multi-level podium accommodating resident and visitor parking, with the residential component commencing from level three. The design incorporates cascading planting throughout the façade, landscaped podium edges, and deep planting zones along the Boundary Street frontage.

<img alt="First look: S&amp;S Projects lodges plans for 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="677e6615-b5c0-4b6c-b4f9-efb14fcde1a6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ss%20da%20pers.png?VersionId=YOnPKQm7IFXv0M5H326djEpxk80500Hi" />

A key feature of the development is its expansive rooftop wellness and recreation precinct. Plans reveal a resort-style pool deck, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, rooftop terraces, barbecue areas and landscaped relaxation spaces positioned to capture views across the southern Gold Coast coastline.

The rooftop wellness focus builds on the vision S&amp;S Projects first outlined when it acquired the site for $20.25 million last year.

"We are taking every advantage to create a truly unique rooftop wellness experience with a natural feel for residents, offering stone features throughout and an underlying theme that emulates a botanical garden," S&amp;S Projects founder and director Paul Gedoun said at the time.

The proposal seeks a 57-metre building height, representing a 50 per cent uplift on the site's mapped 38-metre height limit. Planning documents argue the additional height is consistent with recently approved and emerging towers in the immediate Boundary Street and Rainbow Bay precinct.

Urbis, acting as planning consultant, said the development would provide "88 dwellings, comprising a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, contributing to housing choice and supply within an established medium to high-rise coastal urban neighbourhood."

The scheme has undergone extensive pre-lodgement consultation with the City of Gold Coast, with the design refined following feedback relating to architectural expression, landscaping, traffic access and podium treatment.

<img alt="S&amp;S" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a2d70fd-62ac-4b83-97c6-b798fc1243dd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%209.16.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yHmghUwKM3IVGpBktQU1mE.0Lpf3WimG" />

The architectural team is led by Brisbane-based Cottee Parker, one of Australia's most active residential design studios, with landscape architecture by Dunn + Moran. The consultant team also includes ADG Engineers, Windtech and Acoustic Works.

S&amp;S Projects has become one of the most influential private developers operating on the southern Gold Coast. Since entering Rainbow Bay in 2022, the company has assembled a portfolio exceeding $1 billion in end value, establishing itself as a key player in the area's evolution into a premium apartment destination. Pezet Matheson will again handle the sales for S&amp;S.

Coolangatta is entering another wave of apartment development, following the delivery of several prominent residential projects in recent years.

John Kearney's Immerse Projects will launch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kaiya-kirra-beach-5-haig-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Kaiya on Haig Street</a>&nbsp;soon, meanwhile, Palm Beach-based Sherpa Property Group is preparing to bring its debut Coolangatta development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-viver-87-griffith-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Flourish Viveré</a>, to market later this year, subject to approvals.

First look: S&S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street

rental properties

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Rental listings rising as COVID-19 continues: REA Group

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
 
Short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb are increasingly displacing hotels and holiday letting agencies as the go-to form of accommodation. The ease of booking it all in seconds on your smartphone adds to the appeal of renting a well-appointed flat in Noosaville, or having basil or turmeric on hand in the kitchen of your Katoomba house. With so many people using Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms in Australia, have you ever wondered just how many Airbnbs there are?
The answer is 346,581. Or at least that’s the number of unique properties listed at least once in Australia between July 2016 and February 2019 (the period for which we have a complete data set for the entire country), with a high of 147,655 listed in December 2018. According to research we presented at the recent <a href="http://soac2019.com.au/program-outline/" target="_blank">State of Australian Cities conference in Perth</a>, we estimate about 4% of the Australian housing stock is, or has been, used as an Airbnb.
The number of listings grew by an average of 2.43% a month over that period. If trends continue, we are likely to have set another record this past December.
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5qowC/4/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
Airbnb property listings generally peak in the summer. The exception is in the country’s north. There the peak is in June and July holidays as chilly temperatures in the southern states send visitors to warmer climes.
<h2>There’s something for everyone</h2>
Airbnb properties come in all shapes and sizes. Just over half (53%) of Airbnb properties can be classed as houses and 37% as apartments. The remaining 10% are considerably more diverse, and include 82 boats, 21 tipis, 26 yurts, 43 train cars and even two lighthouses. You can also book a private island on the Great Barrier Reef, or a treehouse at Cape Tribulation.
The latest available data indicate 74% of listings are for entire homes, 26% are for shared properties and 1% are for shared bedrooms.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/642F4/2/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
Of the total listings, 5% are studios, while 40% have one bedroom, 25% have two bedrooms and the remaining listings have three or more.
The map below shows the sheer density of these listings nationwide. Click <a href="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/rAsWc/3/" target="_blank">here</a> to see a larger version of the interactive map (hover over dots to display the location – the larger the dot, the greater the number of listings).
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/rAsWc/5/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
One remarkable thing about Airbnb is how ubiquitous it has become. Of the 2,292 statistical units (<a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Australian+Statistical+Geography+Standard+(ASGS)">SA2</a>) in Australia, 2,226 had at least one listing. As of February 2019, the average SA2 area had on average 56 listings, but the numbers varied greatly between localities.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/kUzNE/3/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
The most popular places for absolute number of listings generally fall into one of two categories. Inner cities, like central Melbourne and Sydney, attract visitors year-round.
Holiday destinations, such as the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Mornington Peninsula, tend to have more seasonal patterns.
<h2>Too big for policymakers to ignore</h2>
A key concern about Airbnb is the degree to which it causes displacement in the conventional rental market and/or disrupts residential neighbourhoods (think of tourists wheeling luggage into your building’s foyer 24/7). While difficult to measure both of these, our data indicate there are basically two types of Airbnb “landlords”: professionals, whose properties are always available, and hobbyists, who are regarded as genuine participants in the so-called sharing economy.
The fact entire home listings have been growing at a faster rate than shared accommodation suggests short-term rentals have been professionalised over time. Increasingly, management companies rather than individuals are leasing properties full-time.
Short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb are unlikely to disappear overnight. Some hotel chains and booking sites have adapted their strategies accordingly by providing apartment-style living alongside conventional hotel rooms.
The sharing economy has expanded tremendously over the past decade. A recent Australian <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/Consultation-Paper-A-sharing-economy-reporting-regime-1.pdf">Treasury report</a> estimates nearly one in two Australians earned extra money from sharing economy services in the last six months of 2017. The impact on the economy totalled more than A$15 billion.
Policymakers increasingly need to consider the impacts of Airbnb and other sharing economy platforms. Understanding the complexity of all the pros and cons will be critical to making informed decisions.
 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/thomas-sigler-339478" target="_blank">Thomas Sigler</a>, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805" target="_blank">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/radoslaw-panczak-914705" target="_blank">Radoslaw Panczak</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805" target="_blank">The University of Queensland</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ever-wondered-how-many-airbnbs-australia-has-and-where-they-all-are-we-have-the-answers-129003" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Ever wondered how many Airbnbs Australia has and where they all are? We have the answers

<html><body>
If you're one of the <a href="https://onproperty.com.au/percentage-of-australians-own-property/">7.9% of Australians</a>* who own an investment property, you'll know that like any home, it requires a lot of time and money spent on maintenance. The good news is that if you’re prepared to spend on professional maintenance and property check-ups, you could avoid some high-cost issues in the long run and improve the wellbeing and happiness of your tenants. One of the main differences between owning your own home, and owning a rental property is that anything spent on maintenance and upgrades has the potential to be earned back in rental income.

*Based on 2011 census

Here are a few things you should keep an eye on next time you visit your rental property:

<h2>#1 Replacing smoke detectors </h2>

While changing batteries may seem like a simple task, it is still the landlord's responsibility and should be undertaken by the property owner or real estate agent. By checking working smoke detectors are installed in the right areas throughout the home, you are firstly ensuring the safety of your tenants, while also reducing the risk of any fire damage to your property.

<h2>#2 Unclog gutters and pipes </h2>

The damage caused by clogged guttering and pipes can end up costing you thousands if flooding or pipe breakage occurs. Hiring a professional to undergo a regular check and remembering to remove leaves and debris from exposed guttering could save you money in future.

<h2>#3 Undertake regular pest checks </h2>

If you’ve ever experienced a termite or mouse infestation, you’ll understand the perils of trying to mitigate the problem once it’s already out of control. Encourage your tenants to alert you of any sightings early on and engage a professional to deal with the problem and provide you with a plan to prevent the issue escalating.

<h2>#4 Get onto mould issues ASAP </h2>

Regularly check shower grouting, ceilings, behind furniture, window sills, and damp zones (such as bathrooms, foyers etc.) for any signs of mould. Stachybotrys Chartarum (or black mould) releases toxic compounds known as ‘mycotoxins’ and when inhaled can lead to a myriad of health complications. While regular cleaning can help eliminate mould, often it’s a greater issue and requires professional attention. Protect your tenants by seeking mould specialists, who can often deal with the problem for around $300 per room.

<h2>#5 Eliminate hazardous materials </h2>

From exposed rusty stakes to asbestos cladding, it’s always a good idea to undergo a building inspection to ensure your home is safe for its inhabitants. Removing anything that could be toxic, flammable or hazardous will eliminate the chance of future issues to arise.

<h2>#6 Check bathroom extractor fans </h2>

Extractor fans play an important role in bathrooms – especially those without an opening window. Ensuring the fan is working will help with reducing mould and mildew growing in the bathroom.

<h2>#7 Change locks between tenancies </h2>

During a tenancy, you often don't know how many keys have been cut for household members, as well as their friends and family. Ensure the safety of your property and your new tenants by having the locks changed. This is a relatively simple task which can be done on the property, within an hour or two by a locksmith.

<h2>#8 Invest in value upgrades</h2>

Upgrading the kitchen or bathroom of your rental property is often likely to increase its value, reduce vacancy rates and will encourage your tenants to treat your property with respect and care. Significant property upgrades are also likely to increase the market value of your property once you decide to on-sell it.

<h2>#9 Employ a gardener </h2>

The unrulier the grounds, the more challenging they are to deal with. Aim to keep weeds at bay and lawns short and consider employing a gardener as this can be a tax-deductible expense.

<h2>#10 Identify wood rot early on </h2>

A deck layered with algae or wood that is disintegrating can pose accident risk for your tenants. Fix the problem early by replacing the deck or undergoing remedial work.

<h2>#11 Look for leaks after a downpour </h2>

While many homes aren’t hermetically sealed and often have gaps to encourage airflow, water pouring in through the window or dripping from the roof is never a good sign and needs to be addressed immediately. Mould can occur within the walls/ceiling and are sometimes issues that only present themselves when it’s too late. Consider using a waterproof paint and silicone sealant.

<h2>#12 Aim to prevent foundation repairs </h2>

Foundation repairs can set you back anywhere from $450 - $11,000 and are often due to natural causes such as soil swelling. It’s important to keep the soil around your home moist and ensure there is sufficient water drainage – ideally a gradual slope. If foundation repairs are likely to be needed, some signs can include doors and windows which are hard to shut, cracks on the walls, sloping flooring and water pooling in your garage/basement or in corners of your house.

<h2>#13 Periodic roof inspections </h2>

Similar to foundation repairs, to replace a roof can cost from $650 - $6,000. The general rule of thumb is to get your roof checked 10 years post installation and every 3 years after.

<h2>#14 Wash flooring and carpets </h2>

Keeping your floors in good nick could make them last longer. Between each tenancy, hire a professional carpet cleaner, and repolish wooden floors. When you clean a carpet stain, you are only cleaning the surface layer, meaning the stain won’t be removed completely. Regular carpet cleaning can reduce permanent damage to your flooring.
</body></html>

Olivia Round

Own rental property? Here are 14 things to check to avoid major problems in future 

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
How we fund retirement in an ageing century ought to worry all of us.
But one group of us should be much more worried than the rest.
In a new set of <a href="http://cepar.edu.au/resources-videos/research-briefs" target="_blank">research briefs</a> published by the Centre of Excellence of Population Ageing Research, we report that most people do well out of our retirement income system and that the living standard of retirees has improved over the past decade.
In international comparisons, our system <a href="https://www.mercer.com.au/our-thinking/mmgpi" target="_blank">ranks highly</a>, for good reason.
Most retirees do well
About 60% of older Australians can afford a lifestyle better than that deemed to be “modest” by widely used standards.
Households headed by baby boomers reaching retirement age between 2006 and 2016 did so with incomes 45% higher than those who retired a decade earlier.
Typical boomer households aged in their late 60s earn almost as much as they did when they were still working - only 20% less, that is, with about 80% of their working income maintained.
And their needs are lower. Lower spending in retirement is common because older households need to pay less for transport, less for working clothes, and have more time to cook.
Many continue to save while in retirement.
And they tend to spend less over time, rather than more over time as <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/resources/retirement-standard" target="_blank">benchmarks publicised by the superannuation industry</a> assume.
When we included the value of living rent-free for the 80% or more of retirees who own their own home (about A$10,000 per year on average), we found older Australians live in no more poverty than working age Australians.
But not renters
The living standards of those who rent in retirement are very different. Only about 15% of older renters can afford a lifestyle better than “modest”.
Single renters are particularly badly off.
Among all older people only about 10% fall below the poverty line set at half the median income.
Among older Australians who rent, 40% fall below.
Among older Australians who rent alone, it’s more than 60%.
<hr>
<iframe src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Oyddt/1/" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
If that relative poverty measure seems too abstract, an absolute dollar figure might help.
Alarming research aired on the ABC in September found that, on average, aged care homes were spending <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-17/food-in-aged-care/10212880" target="_blank">$6.08 per day on food</a> per resident.
Our research finds that among pensioners who rent alone, one quarter spend <a href="http://cepar.edu.au/sites/default/files/retirement-income-in-australia-part2.pdf" target="_blank">even less than that</a> per day.
And it’s getting worse
The pension has always favoured home owners.
On the one hand it is insufficient for renters and on the other it doesn’t cut pension payments to the owners of very valuable homes, because the value of any home - no matter how big - is excluded from the pension means test.
Rental assistance, introduced to complement the pension in the 1980s, was meant to alleviate this, and to some extent it does.
But it climbs only in line with the consumer price index every six months, which usually fails to keep pace with rents.
Sydney rents have doubled over the past two decades. The consumer price index has climbed 68%.
As a result, rental assistance is less effective in reducing financial stress than it was when it was introduced, and is set to become even less effective if rents continue to climb more quickly than the price index.
And more of us look set to rent
Households headed by Australians aged 35 to 44 are now 10 percentage points less likely to own their own home than were households headed by people of the same age a generation earlier.
They might be merely postponing buying homes until they are older as more of what would have been their income is sequestered into super and they enter the workforce and retire later.
If so, they might end up owning and paying off homes by retirement at the same rate as boomer households did before them.
If not, more and more of them could end up in poverty in retirement.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/105840/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Rafal Chomik, Senior Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), UNSW
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/renters-beware-how-the-pension-and-super-could-leave-you-behind-105840" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

Renters Beware: how the pension and super could leave you behind

<html><body>
A Gold Coast real estate agent was ordered to pay $14,364 in fines and compensation in the Southport Magistrates Court following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Neil Hart, director of Wealthbuilt Realty in Molendinar, was fined $10,000, and ordered to pay $4,364 in witness and court costs after failing to organise repairs to two rental properties, despite collecting payments for them to be undertaken.
The OFT investigation revealed discrepancies between quotes obtained by the real estate agent for repairs to the properties, the amounts paid by insurance companies against those quotes, and then finally the amounts paid to tradespeople to conduct the repairs.
The OFT also established the deceptions relied on the agent creating and supplying a fake invoice and on failing to deposit repair money into the agency’s trust account.
In sentencing, the court considered Mr Hart’s guilty plea and previously unblemished record.
Fair Trading Acting Executive Director Craig Turner said real estate agents are in a position of trust and have no right producing false documents.
“Consumers have the right to expect that all paperwork received for transactions are accurate; they are not a tool for manipulation,” Mr Turner said.
“The OFT will not stand for any agent committing such duplicitous acts within the property industry.”
 
</body></html>

Gold Coast agent fined after tenant repair discrepancies  

<html><body>
A Silicon Valley start-up that lets tenants bid against each other for rental properties - and which will likely launch in Australia this year - is seeking crowdfunding.
The apartment hunting app is currently seeking funding through an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) to expand into the world of the blockchain.
The Rentberry platform is operating in over 5000 cities. So far they have processed more than 4000 applications.
Firms like Rentberry are aiming to modernize the traditional mechanism of the rental market by leveraging blockchain technology and its real time deal delivery.
It is suggested the blockchain-based transactions will bring down the cost and promote direct interaction between landlords and tenants.
Unlike many other startups jumping on the ICO bandwagon, the Dan Francisco-based Rentberry already has been fully operational since 2015, backed by a team consisting of some 23 full-time employees.
The Rentberry aim is to rethink the way rental process is organized.
But <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-VU2Z2W1dI" target="_blank">reviewer blogger Ian Balina</a> said it was a pass on him taking equity. Another, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzsoa_e4KGE" target="_blank">Tony Tian</a> has taken $20,000 stake.
The firm is raising funds from the market running from December 5 2017 to January 26, 2018. Alex Lubinsky, a former investment banking executive who founded and real estate owner  turned entrepreneur is the CEO.
With renting increasingly the new normal for many, many innovative fintech companies are come up with new wats.
An Australian product, called Trustbond and created by the startup Traity, lets tenants avoid paying a traditional bond and instead pay a premium, which is a proportion of the rent paid for the term of the lease.
The innovative fintech company has partnered with landlord insurance specialist Terri Scheer Insurance to launch Trustbond.
Trustbond provides security to landlord without freezing the savings of tenants in a rental bond using world-first technology that "will ensure trustworthy Australians save thousands of dollars."
A traditional bond is a large sum that is tied up for the duration of the lease while Trustbond will allows tenant to pay a relatively small fee upfront to cover the protection their landlord required.
The Trustbond system will also allow estate agents and landlords to determine a person’s suitability as a tenant while providing landlords with the same level of protection as a traditional cash bond.
Trustbond is being launched initially in South Australia and it is expected will roll out to other states in the coming months. In NSW around 80,000 residential rental bonds, totalling $1.31 billion are held by the NSW Rental Bond Board.
The new product is marketed as a five step process:
<ul>
<li>Go to <a href="https://www.trustbond.com" target="_blank">www.trustbond.com</a>
</li>
<li>Prove you are a trustworthy tenant by building your reputation profile</li>
<li>Replace the cash bond with a Trustbond</li>
<li>Share the Trustbond with your real estate agent or landlord for their agreement</li>
<li>Keep your cash in your pocket for when you need it most</li>
</ul>
Trustbond measures trustworthiness using online data including networks, ratings and reviews from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Airbnb, eBay and Uber to determine a tenant’s TrustScore.
Once eligibility has been established, the tenant pays an upfront fee that is a percentage of what a conventional rental bond would cost.
As a traditional cash bond might require a tenant to pay $2000, with Trustbond, the tenant might pay around $250 that still covers their landlord for the $2000, freeing up $1750 for the tenant.
The inspiration for Trustbond came from the Traity CEO, Juan Cartagena's own experience of renting property.
As a new resident of the United States with no local rental or employment history, landlords were requesting rental cash bonds of up to $14,000.
He was untrusted as a foreigner, and his landlords requested very expensive bonds as they did not have enough information to trust him.
“Trustbond recognises a person’s digital profile as an asset, putting money back in tenants’ pockets to spend on the things that matter to them,” Traity executive Will Soutar, said.
 
</body></html>

Rentberry seeks out the blockchain to unite tenants and landlords

<html><body>
Based on the Census 2017 data, CoreLogic has reviewed where renting property is most common, and, of the 30.9% of residential properties currently rented, who owns the lion's share.
The analysis shows the proportion of properties rented has been trending higher, increasing from 29.6% at the time of the 2011 Census and 27.2% at the time of the 2006 Census to reach 30.9% of all dwellings in 2016.
While the proportion of dwellings being rented is climbing, the proportion of properties owned outright has also been trending lower and the rate of home ownership is diminishing.
An interesting observation from the latest Census analysis is that those properties classified as ‘rentals’ are not all owned by private investors; almost 12% of rented dwellings are owned by state or territory housing authorities, and 2% are owned by community/church groups.
The vast majority of rentals are investor owned with 60% of these managed through a real estate agent, while 20% of rented dwellings are rented by individuals not living in the same household.
The CoreLgoic analysis has identified the top 50 areas most popular for renters.
Only nine of the 50 regions listed had a lower proportion of properties rented in 2016 compared to the proportion at the time of the 2006 Census.
Interestingly, three of these regions are the top three most rental-centric regions (Torres Straight Islands, East Arnhem and Nhulunbuy).
Note that the rental accommodation in these three regions is predominately provided by government.
Overall, the most rental-centric regions are generally located within mining and resource-related regions, and inner city areas where significant increases in housing density has taken place over recent years.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/27/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-27%20at%2010.08.22%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/07/27/Screen%20Shot%202017-07-27%20at%2010.08.22%20am.jpg" alt="">
Over the past 10 years some of these regions have seen a significant increase in the proportion of properties being rented.
Other areas to see significant increases in rental popularity are: Pimpama (located midway between Brisbane &amp; the Gold Coast) where the proportion of properties rented has increased from 29.9% in 2006 to 62.7% in 2016 and South Hedland in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, with significant increases for renting from 36.0% in 2006 to 65.6% in 2016.
By the time of the next Census is 2021, we anticipate that the proportion of properties being rented will increase further given a growing population and ongoing housing affordability pressures, particularly within the largest housing markets (Sydney and Melbourne).
Note: The table above shows the proportion of properties rented over the 2006, 2011 and 2016 Census.
Note that only regions with at least 1,000 total properties at the time of the 2016 Census have been included on the list.
The list provided in this report shows the SA2 regions of the country that had the highest proportion of properties rented at the time of the 2016 Census.
As an aside, and SA2 region, on average, is home to 10,000 residents and, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the purpose of the SA2 region is to represent a community that interacts together socially and economically.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
</body></html>

ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Rented properties trending higher: CoreLogic's Cameron Kusher

<html><body>
A mobile app has been launched for potential renters to create their own universal profile and send property rental applications.
RentersCard is a mobile app and online rental application service that allows renters to get pre-verified.
RentersCard is the first mobile app to make it easier for renters to secure a place to rent.
Leigh Chapman, RentersCard general manager said renters are able to use the mobile app and website for free and send as many applications as they want, but for those renters who want to make their lives easier and jump the queue, they are able to boost their profiles and get pre-verified.
"You spend hours searching for the property you want, collecting all your identity (100 Points of ID) documents, obtaining your employment payslips or guarantor details, compiling your references, only to call the property manager and find out that the place you were hoping for was rented out to someone else,” he said.
“Property managers are already extremely time poor, so if you are able to do something to help make their jobs easier, of course they will take notice.
“This is the exact advantage you get from using the RentersCard platform by going above and beyond the standard application process of 100 points of ID,” Chapman said.
“Instead of using cover letters, you can actually prove you have great rental credentials by simply obtaining your profile badges
Tina Grey, Jones Lang Lasalle Queensland’s head of residential management said rental applicants who have already completed their profile and pre-verified themselves are favoured across all of our offices.”
“We handle so many calls and have inspections daily to attend to, so using the RentersCard mobile app has helped us streamline our processes and has improved our customer experience,” she said.
“Each applicant that contacts us are being asked to apply through the RentersCard website and at every inspection, we are capturing the applicant's contact details through the mobile app which helps us re-engage our customer base more efficiently.
“RentersCard is helping us mitigate risks throughout the application process and helps us maintain a premium and quality service to our clients.
RentersCard accesses private, public and government sources including the Australian Attorney General’s Department, who provide them access to their systems so that they can verify any government issued document in real-time to prevent fraud.
For more information <a href="https://renterscard.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
</body></html>

New mobile app helping renters find a home quicker

<html><body>
In the lead up to the June long weekend the ATO is reminding taxpayers that it’s paying close attention to rental properties located in popular holiday destinations around Australia.
Assistant Commissioner Kath Anderson said that last year the ATO identified a large number of mistakes with deductions for rental properties, particularly with regards to holiday homes.
“We’ve noticed some people are claiming deductions for holiday homes even where the property is not genuinely being rented out, or genuinely available for rent,” Ms Anderson said.
“There’s no problem with people using their rental property for their holiday, but holiday home owners need to remember they can only claim tax deductions for expenses made during a period when the home is rented out or genuinely available for rent.”
Property owners also need to understand that if they rent their property at a discounted rate, or ‘mates’ rates’ they can only claim deductions equal to the amount of rent charged.
“One taxpayer had to pay the ATO back over $45,000 in tax from deduction claims made for a holiday home they were renting out to friends and family below the market rate.”
Ms Anderson said the ATO is focused on using data to identify errors.
“Property owners should be aware that incorrect rental property claims will not go unnoticed.
“Technology enhancements and extensive use of data is allowing us to identify incorrect or suspicious claims.
“We also have a good idea of the locations likely to be used for holiday homes.”
Ms Anderson said that all rental property owners, particular those who rent out holiday homes, should always double-check their claims before lodging their tax return, and follow a couple of simple rules.
“Firstly, make sure that you declare all rental income and only claim deductions for periods that the property is rented or was genuinely available for rent.”
“Secondly, make sure you have accurate records of expenses, and strong evidence of the property being rented or genuinely available for rent at market rates.
“Advertising through a real-estate agent or an online site is not always enough evidence to demonstrate that a property is genuinely available for rent.”
For more information on Holiday homes, visit <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/ato.gov.au/holidayhomes" target="_blank">ato.gov.au/holidayhomes</a>
For more general information on rental properties, visit <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/ato.gov.au/rental" target="_blank">ato.gov.au/rental</a>
</body></html>

ATO homing in on holiday rental compliance after too many crafty claims by taxpayers

<html><body>
With recent record high levels of new housing construction and investor mortgage activity, the supply of housing stock available for rent is climbing and is expected to continue to increase.
Australia has a growing population and the people moving to Australia need to be housed somewhere.  
Over recent years the uplift in population growth has not been met with a commensurate rise in property sales. Rental advertisement counts suggest that the population growth is increasingly being housed via investment housing (rental accommodation) which aligns with the lift in investor housing finance commitments over recent years.
Over the 12 months to January 2017, there were 362,708 houses advertised for rent and 287,233 units advertised for rent nationally. 
The number of rental advertisements over the past year was 8.7 percent higher for houses and 9.3 percent higher for units.  The rental market is currently seeing historic low rates of rental growth and with the amount of rental accommodation ramping up it is easy to see why.  Keep in mind this data is only those properties advertised for rent and not every rental property will be advertised for rent each year.
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/14/2017-03-13--image1.png" width="571" height="187">
The two tables within this report highlight the council areas that have seen the greatest increases and decreases in rental advertisements over the past year.  Note that we have only included council areas that have had at least 1,000 rental advertisements over the 12 months to January 2017.
Click to enlarge
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/14/2017-03-13--image2.png" width="561" height="508">
Western Australia council areas feature heavily on the list of regions that have seen the greatest increase in rental advertisements over the year, many of which are located in Perth.  Investor activity has been sluggish in WA so this may indicate that as the economy has weakened and people have migrated away from WA, perhaps home owners are looking to rent out their home rather than selling into weak market conditions. 
A number of NSW regions are also featured on the list and this is probably more reflective of the ramping-up of housing supply purchased by investors.
Of those regions with at least 1,000 rental advertisements over the past year, only 17 council areas have actually seen a decline in rental advertisements over the year.  Two of the improving housing markets for value growth, Canberra and Hobart, are amongst these 17 council areas. 
The areas with less rental stock advertised than a year ago also tend to be more slanted towards regional areas rather than capital cities.  
This is not surprising given that housing supply has largely been increasing in capital cities rather than regional markets.  Despite the housing construction boom in Sydney at the moment, Kogarah, Warringah and Manly have recorded fewer properties advertised this year compared to last year, signaling tighter rental conditions.
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/14/2017-03-13--image3.png" width="564" height="506">
With a record high number of new dwellings still under construction, most of which are units and many of which have been purchased by investors, it is anticipated that the number of properties advertised for rent will continue to rise. 
The impact of this is that rental growth is likely to remain dampened and those in the rental market in most regions will have an increasing number of properties to choose from.  For owners of investment properties and property managers should be mindful of their local rental conditions, and set their weekly rents accordingly to maximize their occupancy as well as income. 
Landlords in areas where the supply of rental properties has shown a rise may find they need to hold their rents steady or in fact, provide a discount on their rental expectations in order to keep or attract tenants.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>
</body></html>

rental properties

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

rental properties

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News