Landlords vital for home ownership, expert says

CEO Jacob Field said that landlords play a fundamental role in the property life cycle.

“Whether they are studying at [a] university or undertaking an apprenticeship, for most Australians their first move away from the family home is into a rental,” Mr Field said.

“Rentals also provide a necessary safety net for residents going through financial difficulties following a marriage breakdown, job loss or business failure.”

Mr Field said that when residents move to a new location for work, they generally want to rent before they buy.

“For residents moving into a new area, it might be from another location or another state, it is a dramatic life change.

“For the first six to 12 months, generally, people will prefer to dip their toes in the water first and see if they enjoy the new job.”

Myth busting

Mr Field debunks the claim that landlords are responsible for the so-called affordability crisis in this country.

“Prices go up in owner-occupied concentrated areas at the same rate, if not in greater increments than in tenant-concentrated areas.

“For example, typically, the highest capital growth areas over the long term are capital city locations and established blue-chip suburbs where owner-occupiers rule the roost,” Mr Field said.

He also refutes the “misconception” that property investors prevent renters from home ownership, suggesting instead that owner-occupiers place greater upward pressure on property values than landlords.

“The only reason landlords exist is because they provide a necessary utility, making home ownership in the first place a possibility for many Australians,” Mr Field said.