What cheeses me off

[DejaBrew]

The other one is Firefly where they got some closure via the Serenity movie

Ah yes, another great example and definitely a series that deserved more love than was ever offered by the TV execs.

 

[Lynda2475]

Ah yes, another great example and definitely a series that deserved more love than was ever offered by the TV execs.

And Farscape got a mini-series. But its rare. Dark Angel had to launch two books to wrap up.

But outside Sci-Fi I dont think dramas bother to look for ways to give the fans closure.

 

[Cynicor]

And Farscape got a mini-series. But its rare. Dark Angel had to launch two books to wrap up.

But outside Sci-Fi I dont think dramas bother to look for ways to give the fans closure.

Wait. The dark angel books closed out the series? Might have to find them. They kind of jumped the shark with that dog character comic relief but still.

 

[JohnK]

I'm not sure I've mentioned it but the real estate has managed to convince the landlord the 1 bedroom apartment is worth between $380-$400 rent/week.

We're paying $320/week and they want to increase to $370/week for next 12 months. I complained and the owner is kind enough to offer $360/week. Oh wow. And next year it will more than likely be $400/week.

What the real estate doesn't realise is that for $380-$400 week you'd expect aircon, flyscreen door and a range hood at the least. Yep none of these. Cracks everywhere, pain cracking everywhere, rust, cupboards falling apart. Problem is can't afford to move.

How everyone can cope with these stupid increases is beyond me. I'll be lucky if I get $1000 increase in salary in September. Everything is going up at least 10%-15%.

 

[n7of9]

Ancillary to @JohnK 's complaint, everyone knows RE agents are scum, yet when it comes down to it renters blame landlords and landlords blame renters and it really cheeses me off that RE agents get off scott free

 

[Pushka]

Ancillary to @JohnK 's complaint, everyone knows RE agents are scum, yet when it comes down to it renters blame landlords and landlords blame renters and it really cheeses me off that RE agents get off scott free

I don't. Having been both renter and landlord I know exactly where the Issues are. The entire RE industry to me, is the lowest of the low and then they drive swanky cars.

 

[Lynda2475]

WCMO is waking up the morning before you are due to travel with a scratchy throat and by the time you get home from the office your nose is a tap and you have chills.

 

[JohnK]

Ancillary to @JohnK 's complaint, everyone knows RE agents are scum, yet when it comes down to it renters blame landlords and landlords blame renters and it really cheeses me off that RE agents get off scott free

It's not just the real estate agents. It's the owners as well.

I have 2 units in Sydney. Both 2 bedroom, both top floor, both with garage, both close to transport. One is $390/week with tenant that has been there for over 5 years. The other is $340/week with relatively new tenant the past couple of years. They asked for discount when they signed the lease and I obliged.

Note the real estate updates me on rental market each year. He says for argument sake we can get another $30-$40 a week and I override him. I try to keep the rents down. I have been for over 30 years but that reflects on character regardless of what some on AFF may think about me.

The person that owns my unit in Brisbane has 3 units in block of 8. Personal super fund. Zero rent increase for a tenant who has been here 5+ years, pays in advance and never asks for anything would have been the right thing to do. At worst maybe a $20 increase but $50 increase or even $40 increase is just plain greedy. Nothing else.

 

[andye]

I'm not involved on either side but my impression is that most Australian landlords aren't inherently nasty or greedy.
However with a large number of mum-and-dads owning investment properties (often with interest-only high-LTV home loans), they have to raise rents to cope with current interest rates. True, negative gearing can cushion the blow but only up to 48%
Once the new market rate has been set, other landlords are obliged to follow (for new tenants at least)
Low housing stock means standard economic market forces don't apply

(Even worse, rent is included in the CPI so high interest rates lead to rental inflation lead to ongoing high interest rates in a vicious circle)

 

[Flashback]

I'm not involved on either side but my impression is that most Australian landlords aren't inherently nasty or greedy.
However with a large number of mum-and-dads owning investment properties (often with interest-only high-LTV home loans), they have to raise rents to cope with current interest rates. True, negative gearing can cushion the blow but only up to 48%
Once the new market rate has been set, other landlords are obliged to follow (for new tenants at least)
Low housing stock means standard economic market forces don't apply

(Even worse, rent is included in the CPI so high interest rates lead to rental inflation lead to ongoing high interest rates in a vicious circle)

Exactly this, plus, it's a landlords market. Rental properties are in short supply, it's simple supply & demand economics.

 

[MARTINE]

Exactly this, plus, it's a landlords market. Rental properties are in short supply, it's simple supply & demand economics.

And if you live in Victoria add land tax to everything
I am selling last property and adding to shares

 

[ausfox]

In Victoria add the compliance costs for checking gas and electrical circuits every 2 years then add the proposed insulation cost.
I am getting out and the property will be redeveloped out of the reach of the rental market.

 

[JohnK]

Exactly this, plus, it's a landlords market. Rental properties are in short supply, it's simple supply & demand economics.

Actually it's not that simple but maybe my brother and I are exceptions to the rule?

 

[Flashback]

Actually it's not that simple but maybe my brother and I are exceptions to the rule?

If you and your brother are landlords and not cashing in on it, then that is your choice I guess. Charity is what I would call it....

 

[mel-world]

If you and your brother are landlords and not cashing in on it, then that is your choice I guess. Charity is what I would call it....

Fortunately, there are still a few considerate owners around who are not unduly influenced by their RE agents. So many investors seem to 'forget' the impressive Capital Gains they are making. So many renters are doing it really tough right now.

 

[dajop]

In Victoria add the compliance costs for checking gas and electrical circuits every 2 years then add the proposed insulation cost.

This is just one big shonky make work scheme. Of course those inspecting will find something that they can then fix for an exhorbitant amount (I refuse to contract work to the company who did the inspection, way too much vested interest).

My partner just had a second check on his property, and they picked up a few things that weren't picked up the last inspection, like a plug in the bathroom that is 1cm too close to the taps (has been there for 40 years), so that has to be disconnected and no power for the tenants in the bathroom now (it's only been like it for 40 years or so) Just to name on of several things. And then some really important things, like the energy rating sticker had faded from the aircon unit needs replacing as you can't see the energy rating. FFS.

It wonder if these laws actually do capture the slumlords that they are designed for or just end up costing more to the average landlord who normally fixes things anyway.

 

[JohnK]

If you and your brother are landlords and not cashing in on it, then that is your choice I guess. Charity is what I would call it....

It's not about cashing in.

$30-$40/week as a landlord is nothing to me especially if you take tax into consideration.

But $30-$40/week extra for me as a tenant hurts. It seriously does hurt considering all other increases.

Here's another tip. If you find a good tenant then do everything you can to keep them. The next tenant could be the one that trashes the place or doesn't pay their rent.

 

[Pushka]

Fortunately, there are still a few considerate owners around who are not unduly influenced by their RE agents. So many investors seem to 'forget' the impressive Capital Gains they are making. So many renters are doing it really tough right now.

And until you sell you have to make ends meet. If there are large capital gains then there will be large Capital Gains tax issues.

 

[Lynda2475]

WCMO is QF lounge announcement telling you to go to gate, you get to gate to receive a message notifying you flight is delayed 40mins, grr

 

[Flashback]

It's not about cashing in.

$30-$40/week as a landlord is nothing to me especially if you take tax into consideration.

But $30-$40/week extra for me as a tenant hurts. It seriously does hurt considering all other increases.

Here's another tip. If you find a good tenant then do everything you can to keep them. The next tenant could be the one that trashes the place or doesn't pay their rent.

Oh don't worry, I don't disagree! But it's also not necessarily realistic to expect rent not to go up, as the cost to run the property does increase over time with CPI etc. In Aus landlords have to spring for more of the costs than they do in the UK, for example.