The Property Couch

Property management has changed… but not in the way most investors realise.

In Episode 594, we put the spotlight on one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) parts of real estate: property management.

Joined by experts in the property management field, we’ve got Phil Tarrant, CEO of Managed and host of the Smart Property Investment Show, and Corinne Bohan, Director of Image Property.

Together, they dive into the growing complexity of the industry from rising regulation and tenant expectations to the emotional pressure placed on property managers in today’s market.

Listen now! 

P.S. 📌 Sign the Petition (URGENT – closes next week on 1 May):

Victorian Parliament Petition (VIC residents only) >>
Change.org Petition (open to all) >> 

Plus, don’t miss the bonus episode where Ben (as the Chair of PICA) sits down with Dan Yeats, the investor at the heart of this petition, to unpack what went wrong, question the system, and what needs to change.

Free Stuff Mentioned

• FREE WEBINAR: Your Essential Property Market Update
  Ahead of one of the most groundbreaking Federal Budgets, we’re sitting down to uncover what’s really happening in today’s market and what to focus on next...without the noise.
  👉 Register for the webinar now >> 
• 💰 6 Ways to Improve Your Household Budget
  Looking to free up extra money in your household budget? We’ve got you. In our latest mini-series, Ben shares how to find hundreds of dollars in your budget (with and without refinancing)
  👉 Watch our latest mini-series now 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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📌 Sign the Petition (URGENT – closes next week on 1 May):
Victorian Parliament Petition (VIC residents only): https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/improve-the-efficiency-and-fairness-of-the-residential-tenancies-list/

Change.org Petition (open to all): https://c.org/CjQx88vrbT

This is not a typical Property Couch episode.

In this urgent and important conversation, Ben steps in as Chair of the Property Investors Council of Australia (PICA) to unpack a real-life case that highlights what can happen when the balance between landlord and tenant rights breaks down.

After seeing a confronting story in the media, Ben sits down with investor Dan Yeats to hear firsthand what unfolded — a 13-month ordeal involving unpaid rent, repeated tribunal delays, and a property left in devastating condition.

But this isn’t just about one story. It raises bigger questions about the system, the unintended consequences of legislation, and what needs to change moving forward.

With a key petition closing next week, this episode is a call to understand the issue — and take action if you feel strongly about it.

⏱️ Timestamps:

• 01:03 – The real-life case that sparked national media coverage
• 02:03 – Inside the property: what went wrong
• 03:17 – The VCAT process and repeated delays
• 04:06 – Financial and emotional toll on the investor
• 07:06 – 13-month timeline: how it unfolded
• 10:07 – The legislation changes and imbalance explained
• 14:26 – What needs to change in the system
• 19:22 – The push for reform and starting the petition
• 21:15 – Why this petition matters right now
• 23:20 – The personal toll: family, work, and stress
• 25:12 – Broader impact on the Victorian property market
• 27:21 – System breakdown: where it’s failing
• 29:34 – Lessons learned: insurance and due diligence
• 32:44 – Final message + how you can help

Final Note:

If this story resonates with you — whether you’re an investor, renter, or simply someone who believes in fair and balanced systems — now is the time to make your voice heard.

The Victorian petition closes soon, so don’t leave it too late.

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On, our Friday mini-series where members of the Property Couch crew share bold property and money opinions they’re willing to stand behind.

This week, economist Evan Lucas joins Ben Kingsley to tackle a big topic:

Personal income tax.

Evan argues that Australia’s current tax system places too much pressure on income earners and may be discouraging aspiration and productivity.

He explains how bracket creep, tax thresholds, and behavioural responses all play a role in shaping how people work, invest, and structure their finances.

The conversation also explores what a more balanced tax system could look like — one that supports both fairness and incentive.

If you’ve ever questioned how much tax is too much, this episode is worth your time.

Got a question or a “hill” you want us to unpack? Send it through here 👉 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/topics/

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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What if the best time to buy your first home… is when everyone else is hesitating?

With rising interest rates, higher living costs and shifting market sentiment, many would assume it’s the worst time to enter the property market.

But here’s the twist: It might actually be one of the most important times to get your strategy right.

Welcome to Part 1 of our 3-part mini-series on how to buy a home, where we break down the foundations every first-time buyer needs before they even start looking at properties.

Ben is joined by Couch Crew members Luke Oxenham (mortgage broker extraordinaire helping Aussies navigate lending every day) and Shane Pope (buyer’s agent on the ground negotiating deals) to unpack the critical first steps that can make or break your journey.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between borrowing power and true affordability
• Why a 20% deposit isn’t always necessary (and what your options are)
• The hidden costs most buyers forget to budget for
• Why not all pre-approvals are created equal
• How lenders actually assess your application (and what can trip you up)

Listen now 😊

Free Stuff Mentioned

• Moorr: Your Free Money Management Tool 📊
  Take control of your money, track your spending and uncover your surplus — all in one place.
  👉 Join the 2026 Surplus Challenge
  📱 Download Moorr (iOS & Android): Access 100+ Resources in Moorr’s MyKNOWLEDGE (On buying your first home, structuring your finances & building long-term wealth) 
• Property Outlook Webinar (April 28) 📈
  A deep dive into market shifts, rising rates and what it means for buyers.
  👉 Register now
• 6-Part Money-Saving Series (Mortgage Focus) 💡
  Learn how to find those much-needed extra dollars per month in your household budget.
  👉 Starting listening 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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- Instagram
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A listener asked a question many property investors quietly worry about: “We’ve bought a lemon… should we sell and move on, or hold?”  

It’s a tough spot to be in. 

In this bonus snippet, Bryce and Ben unpack how to determine whether a property is truly a “lemon” — and more importantly whether to cut your losses or stay the course. 

For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 253 | Top Tips for First Home Buyers.

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On, our Friday mini-series where members of the Property Couch crew share bold property and money opinions they’re willing to stand behind. 

This week, tax expert Danish joins Ben Kingsley with a clear message: 

Don’t DIY your tax return. 

Especially when it comes to capital gains tax. 

Dinesh explains how many property investors miss key deductions, overlook important costs, and end up paying more tax than they need to. 

From stamp duty to holding costs, he breaks down what’s commonly missed — and why having a professional review your position can make a significant difference. 

In fact, in one recent case, a client saved over $10,000 simply by having their tax properly reviewed. 

If you’ve had a capital gains event in the last couple of years, this is an episode worth listening to. 

Got a question or a “hill” you want us to unpack? Send it through here 👉 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/topics/ 

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 

00:32 – Meet Danish: Property Tax Specialist 
01:27 – The Hill: Don’t DIY Your Tax Return 
02:23 – Why Capital Gains Tax Gets Missed 
03:30 – Real Example: Missed Deductions 
05:03 – 99% of People Miss This 
05:30 – $10,500 Tax Saving Case Study 
06:34 – Why DIY Tax Is Risky 
07:02 – Holding Costs Explained 
07:29 – Why Record Keeping Matters 
08:23 – Hidden Costs You Can Claim 
09:33 – Final Advice: Get It Vetted 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
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- Instagram
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What happens when you pay a property deposit in cash… then reimburse yourself from borrowed funds later? 💸

Are buyer’s agent fees tax-deductible? 🧾

Can you still claim deductions on a holiday home if you use it during peak season? 🏡

And just how far can you trust AI when it comes to tax advice? 🤖

In this week’s jam-packed episode, Ben is joined by Julia Hartman, an old friend of the couch and Property Tax Guru, and Danish Ahmed, Empower Wealth’s Senior Tax Advisor. Julia is also the Founder of BAN TACs, a co-operative of Accountants that has been helping thousands of Australians navigate the world of tax since 1992.

Together, they unpack some of the most common (and costly) tax mistakes property investors make, from understanding debt purpose vs debt security to the hidden risks of using the wrong funds for a deposit. 

FREE STUFF MENTIONED

• ATO Holiday Home Rules 🏡
  Find out more about the ATO’s proposed changes to holiday home tax treatment or read the official draft ruling here 
• Julia Hartman’s Tax Insights ✍️
  Dive deeper into property tax strategies and common pitfalls via Julia’s latest blog posts 
• Moorr Platform + MyKNOWLEDGE Hub 📊
  Download the app today and explore expert tax resources, including Julia Hartman’s insights, inside Moorr’s MyKNOWLEDGE  
• Empower Wealth Tax Services 🧾
  Get personalised advice on structuring, deductions and tax strategy 👉 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/tax
• Listen to the full catalogue of Julia Hartman’s episodes!

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

If you’ve ever built a budget, felt good about it… and then completely ignored it a week later — you’re not alone.  

The truth is that most budgets don’t fail because the numbers are wrong. They fail because they rely on perfect behaviour in imperfect moments.  

For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 337 | The 4 Pillars of Money Health. 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On, our Friday mini-series where members of the Property Couch crew share bold property and money opinions they’re willing to stand behind. 

This week, tax expert Julia Hartman joins Ben Kingsley to tackle a controversial topic: 

Blaming landlords for the housing crisis. 

Julia argues that increasing taxes, regulations, and costs for investors may actually reduce rental supply — which can drive rents even higher. 

In this episode, she unpacks the unintended consequences of policy decisions, the role of market forces, and why some widely accepted solutions may not be solving the problem. 

It’s a thought-provoking conversation that challenges the current narrative around housing in Australia. 

Got a question or a “hill” you want us to unpack? Send it through here 👉 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/topics/ 

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 

00:39 – Meet Julia Hartman: Tax Expert 
00:54 – The Hill: Stop Blaming Landlords 
01:14 – Why Punishing Investors Reduces Supply 
02:22 – Rising Costs for Property Investors 
03:03 – Are Investors Really “Greedy Hoarders”? 
04:02 – What Happens When Rental Supply Drops 
05:22 – The Unexpected Idea to Increase Housing Supply 
06:12 – Why Tax Settings Discourage Solutions 
07:11 – Government Policy vs Market Forces 
08:17 – Free Market vs Intervention Debate 
10:41 – Final Thoughts: What Needs to Change 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

🏡 What happens when you’re pre-approved… but still not ready to buy?

In Episode 591, Ben is joined by Kirsty, and Couch Crew member, Kirsty “KD” Dunphey, who shares her incredibly honest first-home buyer journey.

Her story is one many buyers will recognise:

• Four years pre-approved before purchasing
• Endless inspections and auction losses
• Information overload from friends and advisors
• Navigating buyer’s agents, brokers and market noise

Along the way, the conversation unpacks some powerful lessons about risk aversion, decision-making, and why buying property is as much psychological as it is financial.

Plus, Kirsty shares the one thing she’d do differently if she could start again. If you’re a first-home buyer stuck in analysis paralysis, this episode is for you. 

FREE STUFF MENTIONED

• 📊 Moorr Platform (Free Money Management Tool)
  Take control of your money, track your spending and uncover your surplus: all in one place.
  👉 Join the Moorr Surplus Challenge
  📱 Download Moorr (iOS & Android)

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >>

MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP:
👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW
👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW
👉 Web platform:  https://www.moorr.com.au/     

FREE MASTERCLASS:
- How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $2,000 a week >>

FREE BEST-SELLING BOOKS:
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing
- Make Money Simple Again

FIND US HERE:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube