Australia’s property tax settings are changing, with future negative gearing concessions set to favour newly built homes. But what does that mean for investors, renters and the broader housing market?

In this episode of The Property Trio, Dave, Cate and Mike unpack the findings of a landmark research report produced by MCG Quantity Surveyors in partnership with Suburbtrends. Drawing on more than 180,000 rental listings across Australia, the report examines whether tenants pay more to rent a brand-new property compared to an equivalent established home, and what those findings could mean as housing policy shifts.

The discussion explores why new apartments command the strongest rental premium, why scarcity matters more than simply being “brand new”, and how the results differ dramatically between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra. The trio also explain why higher rent doesn’t necessarily translate into a better investment outcome, and why investors should never confuse tax incentives with investment fundamentals.

Importantly, the episode looks beyond the headlines. Could directing investors towards new housing genuinely improve supply, or will it reduce the availability of more affordable established rentals? What happens if tenants are increasingly left choosing from a more expensive pool of rental properties? And how should investors weigh depreciation benefits against purchase price, body corporate costs, resale demand and long-term capital growth?

Whether you’re an investor, renter, adviser or simply interested in housing policy, this episode offers an evidence-based discussion of one of Australia’s most significant property policy changes.

A special thanks to MCG Quantity Surveyors for producing this outstanding research report. Mike and his team have undertaken an enormous amount of analysis to bring objective data to an increasingly important policy debate, and we encourage listeners to explore the full report here.

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Ep. 58           Off the plan purchases – Everything you need to know. Part 1: purchase through to settlement

Ep. 59           Off the plan purchases – Everything you need to know. Part 2: The financial drivers

Ep. 272        How Proximity to the CBD Across 10km Rings Impact Property Yields, Contrasting Houses vs. Units & the Regions

Ep. 364        The Budget Aftershock – What Comes Next for Property Prices and Yields & What Does a ‘Perfect’ Investment Look Like Now?

Upcoming ep: #373 – Fallout from the tax changes