Each week, Insurance for Landlords brings a clear, trustworthy wrap of the biggest stories affecting Australian landlords and property investors. Expect concise updates on rental market movements, regulatory changes, tenancy issues, and property risk and maintenance insights. We sort the headlines, cut the jargon, and highlight what matters for your portfolio and peace of mind—so you can stay informed in minutes and make confident, well‑grounded decisions, week after week.
This Week:
Paige Estritori wraps the week for Australian landlords: national rental vacancy tightened to about 1% with rents still rising; ASIC launched a public insurer complaints dashboard to compare service beyond price; the ACCC moved IAGs bid for RAC Insurance to phase two, flagging competition concerns in WA; and industry warns that possible CGT and negative gearing changes could further cut rental supply. Takeaways focus on protecting rental income, checking claims performance, and staying informed while maintaining robust landlord building, contents, liability and loss‑of‑rent cover.
Hello and welcome to the Insurance for Landlords Weekly Property News Wrap, Im Paige Estritori, and its Sunday, 19 April 2026.
First up, Australias rental market tightened again. SQM Research says the national vacancy rate fell to about one per cent in March, with Hobart and Darwin near 0.4 per cent and Perth at 0.5. Asking rents are up roughly six per cent over the year, and households are now spending about a third of their income on rent. For landlords, demand remains strong, but its vital to keep properties well maintained and make sure your policy covers tenant damage and loss of rent so your income is protected if things go wrong.
Next up, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, has released a public dashboard showing each insurers internal dispute‑resolution data. General insurance generated around one‑third of all complaints in 2023–24. This helps you compare service beyond premiums. When you renew landlord building and contents cover, check claims performance and support, as well as limits, exclusions and legal liability cover.
Meanwhile, the competition regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, or ACCC, has pushed the proposed IAG purchase of RAC Insurance in WA into a deeper, phase‑two review. The regulator says the deal could lessen competition in home and contents and motor in that state. Theres no decision yet, but consolidation—if approved—can affect pricing and choice. At renewal, shop around and focus on cover quality and claims help, not just the cheapest headline price.
And finally, policy rumblings are back on the agenda. Ahead of Mays federal budget, industry groups warn that changes to capital gains tax, or CGT, and negative gearing could deter investors and squeeze rental supply further, at a time vacancies are already near record lows. It pays to stay calm and informed. Keep good records, plan for cash‑flow resilience, and ensure your policys loss‑of‑rent and tenant damage benefits fit your property and lease arrangements.
Thats the wrap for this week. For clear, practical information and cover options tailored to landlords, head to insurance-for-landlords.com.au. Thanks for listening, and Ill see you next Sunday.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Reinsurance: Insurance that an insurance company purchases from another insurance company to mitigate risk.
