A decision by the NSW Court of Appeal to allow pets in a high-rise is set to have major ramifications for corporations and apartment owners. Earlier this week, three Court of Appeal judges delivered what’s being described as a landmark decision likely to affect strata schemes going forward. The matter centred around Darlinghurst-based complex The Horizon, which sought to ban tenant Jo Cooper from keeping her 13-year-old Miniature Schnauzer named Angus at the premises. The...
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The corporate watchdog has joined the banking regulator in cracking down on interest-only home loans, announcing targeted surveillance of lenders and mortgage brokers inappropriately spruiking the loans. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) also said eight lenders, including Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and ANZ, will be forced to provide remediation, including possible refunds, to consumers who suffered financial difficulty as a result of shortcomings in past lending practices. [More]
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An article by Jennifer Duke “In Victoria underquoting is endemic, rampant, it’s grubby, it’s misleading and deceptive and it’s a fraud on home buyers,” explained Rowe. “Consumer Affairs Victoria lacks the necessary laws and resources to police underquoting. Real estate agents enjoy the luxury of loop holes in the rules to bait home buyers into attending auctions which are outside their budget. This frustrates buyers. Underquoting causes home buyers to waste their time, money and...
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The esteemed Grattan Institute yesterday released its much-awaited reporting on housing policy and the need for major reform. The central recommendations focused on a re-think of investor-focused incentives like negative gearing. BY SHANNON MOLLOY Whenever property markets begin to recover after an extended lull or downturn, a number of pundits reemerge to express their concern about a so-called and looming affordability crisis. House prices are getting too high, they claim. Young people have no chance...
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Housing policy in Australia is overdue for a major renovation. Government tax and welfare policies, by favouring homeowners and property investors over people who rent, are increasing the divide between Australians who own housing and those who do not. The divide is income-based and it is generational. While home ownership is stable or declining slightly in Australia, there are sharp falls in ownership rates among households with low incomes or aged under 45. This report...
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