Australia’s housing crisis has reached boiling point, with families desperate for affordable homes.
But what if a surprisingly straightforward tax tweak could unleash thousands of properties onto the market, easing the pressure almost overnight?
An expert is urging the Prime Minister to consider just that, and it could be the viral solution we’ve all been waiting for.
Bob Morton, co-founder and director of The Property Clearance Company, has put forward a compelling case for a tax deduction that could revolutionise how properties enter the market after a loved one’s passing or a move into aged care.
His proposal? Allow families to claim the cost of professional clearance services as a tax deduction when selling a home after the death of a parent or a transition into aged care or retirement living.
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Bob Morton, co-founder and director of The Property Clearance Company
Morton said families often face the enormous task of sorting through decades of possessions, dealing with repairs and maintenance and preparing the property for sale.
The process can take months, delaying the return of valuable homes to the market
“By allowing families to claim the cost of professional clearance services as a tax deduction, the Government would give them a clear incentive to move quickly, efficiently and with less emotional strain,” Morton said.
Morton argues that a tax incentive would provide a crucial push, encouraging families to engage professionals who can prepare a property for sale in weeks, not months.
These services meticulously catalogue, value, and manage every item, ensuring a thoughtful and efficient process.
“It’s the fastest, most respectful way to do it,” Morton explained.
“Families can move forward without being overwhelmed, disputes are avoided and valuable possessions aren’t accidentally thrown away. A tax deduction would encourage more families to take this path, creating a win-win: homes are brought to market sooner and the process is done in an orderly, transparent way.”
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Morton has reached out to the PM to seek a meeting about the proposed tax changes but has not yet heard from the PM’s office.
With Australia facing critical housing shortages, every measure to accelerate the turnover of existing properties is vital.
“We know there are thousands of homes sitting idle because families are paralysed by the enormity of the task,” he said.
“A tax deduction could unlock those homes faster and in better condition, making them available to the next generation of Australian families.
Morton has already reached out to the Prime Minister’s office, confident that this “easy thing to do” could significantly contribute to solving the housing crisis.
“Solving the housing crisis isn’t going to take one policy approach, it will take many and a tax deduction to incentivise families to clear, prepare and put their family home on the market for another family to buy is a great idea,” he added.
“Naturally the tax deduction would only come into play if the property is sold. If the family decides to keep the property or rent it, the deduction doesn’t apply. So the incentive is to get it ready for sale as quickly as possible.”
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