Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
Property in the record books for all the wrong reasons
Martin North (No paywall)Domain published an interesting article before Christmas, looking in particular at the Sydney property market, saying its one for the record books. To which I respond, maybe, but for all the wrong reasons. [Read on] (Digital Finance Analytics)
https://digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/property-in-the-record-…
# Video NSW, Housing market.The metaverse is shaping up as the 'next battleground for internet technology'
Dong Xing ABC (No paywall)Taipei resident James Zhou says real estate in the real world is too expensive. And so, because the 27-year-old believes virtual worlds might soon take off, he has decided to get into a different market. ... Digital real estate markets are one aspect of metaverses — virtual worlds where users can work, socialise, shop and game, using augmented and virtual reality. Some metaverse platforms allow users to make purchases with cryptocurrency.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-26/why-are-people-buying-up-…
# International, Housing market.To pay off the mortgage or top up super? There's no one answer, but these four questions can help you decide
Di Johnson ABC (No paywall)At a certain point in life, many wonder what's better: to pay off the home loan ASAP or top up your superannuation? Read the original article at: [https://theconversation.com/should-i-pay-off-the-mortgage-asap-or-top-up-my-superannuation-4-questions-to-ask-yourself-170470]
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-27/how-to-decide-to-pay-off-…
# Australia, Home ownership.The tax exemption owners must understand before renting out their home
Craig Sankey The New Daily (No paywall)I’m wondering what happens if you have moved out of your principal place of residence, rented it for several years and paid tax on that rent, and then move back into it. [Read on]
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/your-budget/2021/12/26/tax-ex…
# Australia, Landlords and agents, Tax.One dead, two injured after stabbing at Whalan in Sydney's west
Chantelle Al-Khouri ABC (No paywall)A man is dead and two others are injured after a fight over unpaid rent, a PlayStation game and a cat in Sydney's west.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-23/man-dies-in-stabbing-inci…
# NSW, Rent.‘Semi-cooked’: Property sector asks new minister to rethink predecessor’s reforms
Angus Thompson The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)The property industry has called on new NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to immediately review his predecessor’s legacy urban-reform policy amid an outcry from developers that it will worsen housing affordability. Rob Stokes, who has been handed the portfolio of Cities, Infrastructure and Active Transport, released his long-awaited Design and Place state planning policy this month, 11 days before the cabinet reshuffle that saw Mr Roberts resume his previous role in planning.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/semi-cooked-property-sector-…
# NSW, Housing market, Planning and development, State Government.Seasons greetings
Tenants' Union of NSW (No paywall)After a tough year for many renters and community supporters, we hope you're all able to enjoy some well-earned good times at home, or away, over the holiday period. We at the Tenants' Union wish you and your loved ones all the best for the end of the year, and a better and brighter 2022! Thank you for your ongoing support and interest in renting issues. Whether your place is rented, owned by you, or owned by the bank, it's still your home. Please know that you deserve to feel safe and happy there. Wishing you all the best for the holidays! From everyone at the Tenants' Union (and our furry friends too!)
https://www.facebook.com/TUNSW/photos/a.336391203051934/51311422…
# NSW, Campaigns and law reform.Riki's renting story
Tenants' Union of NSW (No paywall)As part of our relaunch of the Make Renting Fair campaign, we're building a new website. For the site, we're collecting a range of renting stories from various renters across NSW, to put a human face to some of the policy issues we're campaigning on. Riki is a renter who was generous enough to share their renting story and photograph with us. If you're at all interested, please consider sharing your renting story with us - especially if you're happy for a photo of yourself to be included with that story. Stories ... are immensely valuable to our campaign to Make Renting Fair in NSW.
# NSW, Rent, Campaigns and law reform, Personal stories.