A landlord with at least three properties has issued a harsh warning to tenants, saying she would rather let her homes sit and rot than allow renters to benefit from changes to housing policies.
Tanya Young, from Melbourne, wrote the now-deleted comment in a Facebook group for landlords in Victoria last week, apparently in response to an article she read about Greens proposals to change tax cuts for property investors.
The article detailed the partys campaign to address the national housing crisis by freezing rental prices, allowing tenants to sign longer leases, and to phase out negative gearing and capital gains tax exemptions for landlords.
Negative gearing policies allow property investors to claim tax deductions when the costs of owning and maintaining the property, such as loan interest and maintenance expenses, exceeds the rental income. The benefits can reduce the investors taxable income, lowering their tax bill.
Ms Young wrote: Just read an article in The Age newspaper about 5 year leases, freezing rents and the impact of negative gearing and capital gains.
So to the tenants in [this group]. Know this...I will rather let me properties sit and rot then let a tenant gain from me.
Tanya Young (pictured) wrote the Facebook post in response to an article about improving conditions for renters
Tanya Young (pictured with her partner) owns a number of investment properties in Victoria
In her post, Tanya Young said she would rather let her investment properties rot than reduce her prices for tenants
If Im going to lose I will lose on my terms .... Not yours.
It is understood the comment was quickly deleted, but not before it was shared in another Facebook group - this time, for tenants.
A number of users pointed out that Ms Young would not make money from her properties if they were not occupied by tenants - particularly if negative gearing was phased out.
Others wondered why she thought tenants would gain anything from her if rental policies were changed. They would still have to pay to live at her properties.
One person said, sarcastically: Shes threatening to pay her own mortgage - oooooh - the same freaking mortgage she cant afford unless the tenant is footing the bill.
Another wrote: Jesus Christ. Openly saying youd rather let people go homeless than be a decent human being. Wow. Id be so embarrassed.
A third person said: Not sure how tenants are winning anything really.
We are still paying off someones mortgage and, in the end, coming out with nothing and not owning a home. Home ownership is still out of reach.
Victorian property records indicate Ms Young owns homes in Glen Huntly, in Melbourne, and Dandenong, south-east of the city, and a townhouse in Wangaratta - a regional town in the northern part of the state.
Pictured: Ms Young Wangaratta investment property. Records indicate is was leased for $550 a month in August
Pictured: Ms Youngs investment property in Glen Huntly, Melbourne
In April, Ms Young asked if anyone would like to move 260knm from Wangaratta to Melbourne to rent her investment property for $350/week (pictured)
In April, she posted an ad in a Wangaratta Facebook group asking if anyone would like to move to her one-bedroom apartment in Glen Huntly - 260km away - with a private lease.
I have a 1 bedroom apartment in Glen Huntly 3163 up for private rent if anyone is interested in a move to Melbourne, she wrote.
Fantastic location $350 a week.
Ms Young declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
On Wednesday it was revealed that Labor asked Treasury for advice on possible changes to tax exemptions for landlords, including modelling on the economic repercussions of phasing out the concessions.
Speaking at a press conference in Tasmania, Anthony Albanese deflected questions about changing negative gearing and would not be drawn on whether or not his government asked Treasury for modelling.
However, he ruled it out on Thursday telling Sky News that tax concessions could impact the housing supply.