CJ
I can't see how you class this as a dumb thread. This issue has the potential to put an end to affordable housing for many struggling families. Can you not see that?

There is already talk about a revert back to the 30's 'tent city'. Scarey stuff hey!

Rehctub - I think this is a dumb thread because it consists of little more than a mealymouthed whinge by a relatively wealthy slum landlord who is happy to rent out substandard housing to disadvantaged tenants.

I agree, however, that the current rental system sucks - particularly for tenants. In my opinion, it's high time that governments got back into providing public housing for disadvantaged tenants, thus providing redress for the current situation in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer by funding the rich.

I've always found the Australian rental system very unfair.
There should be fairer guidelines about the amount of rent increases.
Probably the fairest rental system in Australia would be the ACT where I believe rents go up in accordance with the CPI.

Here in Sydney we've seen rent jumps between $70 and $150 per week. It's wrong that the market is able to set the amount of rents. Rents should be capped- no more increases than the CPI allows for.

Tenants should also pay according to their ability and be subsidised by the govt if rental amounts take too big a bite out of their wages and other income.

All rental properties should remain in good repair and offer all the basic needs. Aren't repairs tax deductible anyway? Improvements can attract depreciation.

I can agree that home improvements (NOT repairs or maintenance) may attract a higher rent if tenants agree to the improvement.

Smoke alarms are the responsibility of the landlord and are compulsory- at least here in NSW.
Smoke alarms not only benefit the tenants, landlords should protect their assets as well as their tenants by providing smoke alarms and a safe living environment.

Celvia you raise some interesting points and without insults, I appreciate that, however CPI adjustments could only work if ALL expense increases are governed by the CPI method. In a perfect world this would be great as the owner could also plan better as they would know how much their property is going to cost in advance.

As for making ALL PROPERTIES in good order, well this would simply see the demise of cheap rentals and add to the frustration of an already failing market.

As for smoke alarms, yes they are compulsory in QLD as well. However, although they may only cost less than $10 each and assuming a rental house has two, this is another $20 that has to be found. But the real issue with smoke alarms is not so much the cost, more so it's the fact that at the beginning of each lease they must be checked and in working order. This is where the costs can escalate and someone has to pay the bill.

As for my old mate/enemy CJ, well I doubt anything I do would please him/her so who cares! Sounds very much like your typical UNDER-ACHIEVER who suffers from TALL POPPY SYNDROME.

Sorry for working so hard and being successful CJ.

Well you did ask, rehctub.

<< Sounds very much like your typical UNDER-ACHIEVER who suffers from TALL POPPY SYNDROME. >>

Actually, I have considered investing in rental properties in the past, but I haven't done so because of the sort of person it might make me - you know, the kind of miserable soul who complains about installing and maintaining $20 smoke detectors.

Hardly a 'tall poppy' - more like a Scotch thistle, I reckon.