I sent another letter to the editor

[Bretrick]

Something the BC government is trying is to end B&Bs in tourist areas where the regular rental availability is very low. One of the main industries in BC is tourism. In peak season, hotels are full. A place we stay in has hiked their rate way up. Many areas can’t keep up with tourist demand as it is. It will be interesting to see if people want to rent their homes out long term vs short term.

Our Government is want to do the same thing.
I think part of their plan is to -
offer incentives of $10,000 to make their properties available to long term tenants.
To qualify for the $10,000 payment, property owners need to have an entire property for rent on short-stay booking platforms within the previous six weeks. Applicants will also be required to provide a minimum 12-month lease agreement to new, long-term tenants, with a maximum cap on rent based on region.

 

[Lara]

It was predicted a long time ago that the middle class would be eliminated by 2025 and the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. Enter some AI stocks chosen wisely...that will speed that prediction along. But there's hope...

I recently heard a young American woman (30 something?) say she wanted to move to Australia because it's the "safest place to live on the planet right now". I wonder how many have that same mindset? A population explosion is not going to help you and rental prices. Have you ever thought of moving to New Zealand? It's also safe, and beautiful there, but I never hear of anyone moving there. But there's hope...

I understand that just about no one really wants to leave their homeland, so the only other option is to get out of the city and other popular hotspots and go where the rent is cheaper. Or do what one of our brilliant members suggested here (can't find it now) and "get a rent free space in someone's home, be their gardener or handyman" or assistant running their errands, etc ...and that's the hope.

 

[Timewise 60+]

The free market is seeing millions of people becoming homeless because of greed.
Landlords already have a home and invest in a second home to make a profit from the poor renters.

If not for the investors these "Poor Renters" would not have a home to rent! Again, the free market at work. If investors don't build apartment complexes and homes for people to rent.... where the heck will some of these people live? Army barracks of government provided homes that are funded from the taxes paid be those evil investors you despise so much. Maybe you would do better in a Socialist country where the 'government' provides everything...

By the way please provide your source for the comment on "millions of people becoming homeless...." I am not buying it!

 

[Timewise 60+]

Many landlords are raising rents, gouging the renters simply because they want to cash in on the lack of housing. To me that is pure greed.

You obviously have never studied economics. The USA is a "free market" people can charge whatever they think they can get. If one charges more than fair market, potential buyers will go elsewhere to find what they want. This has worked well in the USA for over 200 years. The market determines the value of goods and services. You are correct that some try and raise rents or charge more, but in the long run they will not get any price that is not competitive in the marketplace it is in. Economics 101!

 

[oldaunt]

If not for the investors these "Poor Renters" would not have a home to rent! Again, the free market at work. If investors don't build apartment complexes and homes for people to rent.... where the heck will some of these people live? Army barracks of government provided homes that are funded from the taxes paid be those evil investors you despise so much. Maybe you would do better in a Socialist country where the 'government' provides everything...

By the way please provide your source for the comment on "millions of people becoming homeless...." I am not buying it!

PSST! He's in Australia.....

 

[HoneyNut]

My land lord had me sign a new lease stating that the rent will rise every 6 months by no more that $50 a week
Which mean that in 5 years time the rent for this one bedroom apartment will be $790 a week. Disgraceful. With any luck, I will
die before then.

Could you buy a place instead? Is this program available where you live?

27 November 2023​

Help to Buy to deliver more support for Australian homebuyers​

This week the Albanese Government takes another step forward in delivering the most significant housing reforms in a generation with the introduction of Help to Buy legislation.​

Help to Buy will bring home ownership back into reach for 40,000 Australian households.​

This will be life changing for thousands of Australians who have been locked out of the security and stability of home ownership.​

The Government will support eligible homebuyers with an equity contribution of up to 40 per cent for new homes and 30 per cent for existing homes.​

Homebuyers will need a minimum 2 per cent deposit to participate in the Scheme, and will have lower ongoing repayments while they participate in the scheme, providing long‑term relief.​

Help to Buy is intended to support Australians who otherwise would not be able to purchase a home.​

States will need to pass their own legislation in order for Help to Buy to operate in their jurisdiction.​

Help to Buy will operate in the territories following passage of Commonwealth legislation.​

All states agreed at National Cabinet to progress legislation so the Scheme will run nationally from next year.​

 

[Timewise 60+]

PSST! He's in Australia.....

Well...Da!

 

[Bretrick]

If not for the investors these "Poor Renters" would not have a home to rent! Again, the free market at work. If investors don't build apartment complexes and homes for people to rent.... where the heck will some of these people live? Army barracks of government provided homes that are funded from the taxes paid be those evil investors you despise so much. Maybe you would do better in a Socialist country where the 'government' provides everything...

By the way please provide your source for the comment on "millions of people becoming homeless...." I am not buying it!

Homeless people by Country
List of sovereign states by homeless population - Wikipedia

 

[Bretrick]

Could you buy a place instead? Is this program available where you live?

27 November 2023​

Help to Buy to deliver more support for Australian homebuyers​

This week the Albanese Government takes another step forward in delivering the most significant housing reforms in a generation with the introduction of Help to Buy legislation.​

Help to Buy will bring home ownership back into reach for 40,000 Australian households.​

This will be life changing for thousands of Australians who have been locked out of the security and stability of home ownership.​

The Government will support eligible homebuyers with an equity contribution of up to 40 per cent for new homes and 30 per cent for existing homes.​

Homebuyers will need a minimum 2 per cent deposit to participate in the Scheme, and will have lower ongoing repayments while they participate in the scheme, providing long‑term relief.​

Help to Buy is intended to support Australians who otherwise would not be able to purchase a home.​

States will need to pass their own legislation in order for Help to Buy to operate in their jurisdiction.​

Help to Buy will operate in the territories following passage of Commonwealth legislation.​

All states agreed at National Cabinet to progress legislation so the Scheme will run nationally from next year.​

This scheme is for first home buyers.
I utilised a similar scheme over 35 years ago, I will look into it

 

[January]

You obviously have never studied economics. The USA is a "free market" people can charge whatever they think they can get. If one charges more than fair market, potential buyers will go elsewhere to find what they want. This has worked well in the USA for over 200 years. The market determines the value of goods and services. You are correct that some try and raise rents or charge more, but in the long run they will not get any price that is not competitive in the marketplace it is in. Economics 101!

Worked well for whom?

Clearly not the people squeezed out of rental homes.

 

[January]

If not for the investors these "Poor Renters" would not have a home to rent! Again, the free market at work. If investors don't build apartment complexes and homes for people to rent.... where the heck will some of these people live? Army barracks of government provided homes that are funded from the taxes paid be those evil investors you despise so much. Maybe you would do better in a Socialist country where the 'government' provides everything.

...

Yes i prefer living in a country where there are some government controls. It doesn't have to be the ' government providing everything' but I think there should be some government controls to protect both parties, that is a good thing.
A degree of socialism, if you like.

 

[palides2021]

Perth. There is an extreme shortage of rentals across Australia.. What is available is outside my price range. Plus rental bidding is rife. A place advertised for $450 might eventually go for $550.

Sorry that you are experiencing this. Isn't Perth a large metropolitan city? Usually large cities here in the US have high rental prices, and I assume that is the same with Perth. Have you considered moving farther away with less population and possibly more reasonable rentals and more reasonable landlords? I know you said that all of Australia has high rentals, and I don't know enough about Australia to agree or disagree. But I do know that nothing remains constant.

Change happens all the time. Here in the US, there are trends; when home prices go up, usually the rental prices go down and vice versa (that's my understanding but I may be wrong). If it were me, I would start looking for a more reasonable landlord. Also, look for new housing during a time when people are less likely to move, like in the winter (you are probably entering winter soon anyway).

 

[January]

^ Perth is the capital city of Western Australia.

 

[Bretrick]

Sorry that you are experiencing this. Isn't Perth a large metropolitan city? Usually large cities here in the US have high rental prices, and I assume that is the same with Perth. Have you considered moving farther away with less population and possibly more reasonable rentals and more reasonable landlords? I know you said that all of Australia has high rentals, and I don't know enough about Australia to agree or disagree. But I do know that nothing remains constant.

Perth is a city of over 2 million people, and growing every year.
I am exploring my options. There are apartments available for under $200,000.
I have registered for the "Help to Buy" option announced by the Albanese Government recently.
Another option is to save as much of my income as possible and by a place with a small loan.

 

[VintageBetter]

I have lived in the midwestern part of the USA my whole life (Utah, Colo., MO, KS, etc.) Throughout these areas are hundreds of small buildings and homes many available for rent at very low cost. Many areas also have jobs on farms and ranches, gas stations, etc. that pay enough for one to live in the small towns. Yet they cannot find people to work or rent.

I have always wondered why these people in towns don't leave the big cities and head to open areas in the USA? For the cost of a bus ticket, they could find a whole new way of life.

Many reasons. Many people really don't want to deal with snow. Heating bills can be very expensive in older homes in the Midwest. Others don't want to move to tornado areas.

Same with the dessert. Some people love the 6 roasting hot months a year, now getting hotter thanks to climate change. Others just hate it. Likewise, your AC bill in those months is as high or higher than a car payment.

 

[Timewise 60+]

Many reasons. Many people really don't want to deal with snow. Heating bills can be very expensive in older homes in the Midwest. Others don't want to move to tornado areas.

Same with the dessert. Some people love the 6 roasting hot months a year, now getting hotter thanks to climate change. Others just hate it. Likewise, your AC bill in those months is as high or higher than a car payment.

As I am sure you know, all decisions involving where someone lives has both pluses and minuses for those decisions. Between the big cities and the deserts are many wonderful suburban areas and/or small towns where one can live. Heating in most older homes is supplemented with a wood burning fireplace. Outside of the towns you can cut your own firewood, many do this to provide free supplemental heating. Folks who choose to live in the hotter climates usually find homes with AC. Those that don't rely on fans and shade trees, just like they did for hundreds of years before the advent of AC.

 

[VintageBetter]

As I am sure you know, all decisions involving where someone lives has both pluses and minuses for those decisions. Between the big cities and the deserts are many wonderful suburban areas and/or small towns where one can live. Heating in most older homes is supplemented with a wood burning fireplace. Outside of the towns you can cut your own firewood, many do this to provide free supplemental heating. Folks who choose to live in the hotter climates usually find homes with AC. Those that don't rely on fans and shade trees, just like they did for hundreds of years before the advent of AC.

Wood burning fire: who will chop the wood for the Senior? Maybe some don't want to deal with fires and soot because of allergies or lung issues? Maybe they don't want to add to carbon pollution with a wood fireplace?

Oh I agree that home designs in the desert have been impractical for the heat for the past 90 years or so. I read about an ancient home design for desert climes in which the adobe house had no windows, or very small ones, and the outside light enters through an open skylight chimney thing. The hot air in the home naturally rises up and out of the big open chimney, while I guess fans make the cool air from the morning circulate down below where people are. The home is tall, like 20 ft.

The craziest thing in desert homes is big, giant windows. Sure, they let in much light, but they also let in the piercing cold and oven heat. Even triple-pane is not as good an insulation as types of wall materials.

But that design, to let the hot air flow up and out, is a great idea. It's a good reason for people in deserts to install attic fans - draw the hot attic air up and out of the attic.

But thick walls are best. Most desert homes are certainly not built that way - and we could use cheap materials like styrofoam. If it is sealed right, perhaps that would block any micro-plastics from migrating out of the styrofoam? IDK. I'm not a scientist.

But I would much rather see styrofoam used as a sealed building product than a food container.

But again - profit motive. No one cared about good insulation in the old days.

In the old days, people died in their 50s and 60s. Perhaps the lack of AC hastened their deaths in some climates? Today, most of us are shooting for our 80s or older if we can survive. AC helps people live longer, IMO.

Don't tell me to use a fan to save money, yet die younger.

 

[January]

and the biggest reason for NOT moving is social networks - family, friends, clubs/activities - where you are.

and moving itself is not cheap and , in Australia at least, cost of living (petrol, food etc) is considerably dearer in remote areas. Medical care is much more limited too
So, sure, one might find cheaper rents but unlikely this will be counteracted by other costs, both financial and otherwise.

 

[Bretrick]

and the biggest reason for NOT moving is social networks - family, friends, clubs/activities - where you are.

and moving itself is not cheap and , in Australia at least, cost of living (petrol, food etc) is considerably dearer in remote areas. Medical care is much more limited too
So, sure, one might find cheaper rents but unlikely this will be counteracted by other costs, both financial and otherwise.

I looked at several country towns, very few rentals available. $400/week and above