Landlord who owns multiple rentals complains that property-owners are ‘demonised’ by renters

A landlord who owns several rentals has appeared on live television to complain about how landlords are “demonised”.

Ann-Maree Eastman, who owns several properties with her husband Phillip, appeared on the ABC quiz show on Monday afternoon to criticize the Green Party’s campaign to limit capital gains tax and gear donations negative.

“Why do politicians feel they need to keep taxing us or changing the rules on how we claim our legitimate business expenses?” Ms Eastman asked.

‘Owning property is a business and requires time and effort to make sure everything runs smoothly.

‘I’m so angry that as a landlord I shouldn’t feel guilty about owning property, or properties in our case. Why does it seem like all owners are demonized and put in the same group?

His question was answered by Max Chandler-Mather, the Greens’ housing spokesman, who explained why his party is pushing to phase out those tax subsidies.

“We have had a tax system that has encouraged people to buy investment property and then be able to write off any losses they have suffered on those investments from their taxes,” Mr Chandler-Mather said.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s fair.”

He deputy for the queensland Griffith’s seat called for limits on rent increases as Ms Eastman shook her head in disagreement.

Q&A host Patricia Karvelas chimed in to point out that interest rate increases have hurt many homeowners who are hit with heavy mortgage payments.

But Chandler-Mather dismissed the argument, saying the worst consequence for homeowners was to “sell an investment property and make huge capital gains” to loud applause from the audience.

‘If the tenants lose, they will be sleeping in their car on the street. “If a real estate investor has to sell his house, that might be bad, but he will get a huge asking price for that house,” Mr. Chandler-Mather added.

Mrs. Eastman claimed that she and her husband were “self-funded retirees” who received nothing from the government.

The Melbourne amateur theater enthusiast claimed she only increased rents “based on market value”.

‘I compared last year’s tax return with the previous year: our gross rent increased by three percent.

‘Our interest payments were double what they were the year before.

‘It’s difficult for us too. We have to find the money to pay that interest, so we are in just as miserable a situation.

But his comments were not liked by many viewers.

“Sorry, but pensioners who rely on tenant income are not ‘self-funded’, they are tenant-funded,” wrote Sydney Inner West councilor Dylan Griffiths on X.

Another X user said that “owning a home shouldn’t be a business, it’s a human right.”

“If you’re worried about your business when kids are growing up in tents, it’s disgusting and you should be ashamed.”

This is not the first time Eastman has spoken out about issues that concern him.

In 2013, he appeared to place part of the blame for the obesity epidemic on sportswear manufacturers.

“Passing a sports clothing store with a big sign in the window saying that 57 percent of adults don’t do formal exercise,” M. Eastman wrote on Facebook.

“So I walked into the store and very politely told the saleswoman that this is because 55 percent of adults can’t fit into their clothes.”

“I’m a little sick of hearing about the obesity epidemic in Australia and other countries, but retailers don’t make it easy to find exercise equipment.”