RESTRICTIVE PRACTICES

Action by the HCC in giving full or substantial rate remissions to landlords who could consider renting, or do, to a party who gets a federal government rent assistant package – such rapid action by HCC would reduce the average weekly rental, as quoted last month as Hobart being the most expensive capital at $542, by an average of $62 to $480 per week.

Of the 23,700 residential properties in greater Hobart whose boundaries are Taroona, Mt Wellington and Creek Rd, 6900 (19 per cent) of these are rentals and from council statistics 420 (2 per cent) are Airbnb.

Battery Point hasn’t been affordable since Empress Towers was built in 1966.

The landlord is further liable for

TasWater, property and liability insurance of $40 per week and, significantly, state land tax on the land value only heading towards $100 per week, which is no doubt why in Perth, WA, where they do not pay land tax, the average rental is $462.

Obviously the state government could give thought to the same arguments, as affordable housing is high on their commitments.

The HCC should stop wringing its hands about affordable rentals in Hobart and act now to apply the rates exemption via the bond lodgement form to which the tenant, landlord, federal and state governments are all signatories.

Clearly not every one of the 6900 rental properties are on rent assistance packages but this action

will have an immediate effect on current and potentially affordable rentals where eligible.

It is of concern that the HCC are embarking on a path of restrictive trade practices with potentially disallowing individuals planning to do that which is allowed as income generation, with popular support for one of Hobart’s niche tourism experiences to be totally disallowed.

Chris Merridew Sandy Bay