New survey reveals investor exodus draining rental pool

One of the first major industry-association surveys conducted since the Federal Government’s changes to negative gearing and the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) has spotlit investors exiting the market and decreasing rental stock in a direct correlation to this year’s government reforms. The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) yesterday released its Annual Investor Sentiment Survey 2026, reporting last year, investors warned they would walk away if negative gearing and CGT reforms passed, with this year’s results showing they are doing exactly that. “Last year, investors told us they would walk away if these reforms became law,” PIPA Chair Cate Bakos said. “This year’s survey is the first national read by PIPA since the changes were legislated, and it shows a lot of them are doing exactly that. “This is no longer a hypothetical debate about tax policy. Rental homes are leaving the market now, and our members are seeing it play out in real time.” Among the findings in the report included 18.3 per cent of participants sold at least one property in the year to August, the third consecutive annual rise. These homes are leaving the rental pool, with more than half of surveyed ...