The Property Couch

What if one simple move could put an extra $662 back in your pocket every month… and potentially boost your borrowing power by up to $100,000?

In this Friday Fundamentals episode of The Property Couch, Ben Kingsley sits down with tax specialist Danish Ahmed to unpack a time-sensitive HECS/HELP strategy that many Australians don’t even realise exists.

With indexation approaching on June 1, this episode walks through a real-life scenario showing how paying down your HECS debt early could help you avoid extra charges, unlock a tax refund, improve your monthly cash flow, and significantly increase your borrowing capacity if you’re planning to buy property.

But timing is everything — and missing this window could mean leaving money on the table.

If you’ve got a HECS or HELP debt, this is one episode you don’t want to scroll past.

Want us to cover your scenario? Submit your question here: https://thepropertycouch.com.au/topics/

⏱️TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – The $662/month HECS hack explained
00:28 – Why this strategy is time-sensitive
00:56 – Real example: $120K income + HECS debt
02:51 – How indexation impacts your debt
04:09 – Unlocking $662 in monthly cash flow
05:00 – Boosting borrowing power by $80K–$100K
06:08 – Why you must act before June 1
07:39 – Key takeaways and next steps

#ThePropertyCouch #HECS #HELPDebt #BorrowingPower #PropertyInvesting #MoneyManagement #PersonalFinance #AussieProperty
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

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A $700 inspection could save you $70,000.
In Part 2 of our How to Buy a Home series, Ben is joined by leading building inspectors Paul Baker and Miles Clark to unpack one of the most overlooked and financially risky parts of buying property: building and pest inspections.
You’ll learn:
✔️ What a good inspection should (and shouldn’t) cover
✔️ How to interpret “major defects” without panicking
✔️ The red flags inspectors look for in older homes
✔️ How to choose the right inspector (and avoid costly mistakes)
✔️ Why Victoria’s proposed pre-purchase inspection reforms could have unintended consequences for buyers=
Plus, we unpack a controversial proposal that could make vendor-supplied building reports mandatory… and why many in the industry are sounding the alarm.
🎧 Listen now.

FREE STUFF MENTIONED
Catch Up On Part 1 of the Buying a Home Series 🎧
Missed Episode 593 on borrowing, search strategy and buying decisions? Start there.
Victorian Petition on Rental Reform ✍ (CLOSES 1 MAY)
Support the petition discussed in the episode: Victorian Parliament Petition (VIC residents only)
Change.org Petition (open to all)

Find a Qualified Building Inspector 🔍
Learn more about credentials and due diligence through the Victorian Association of Home Inspectors and trusted inspection providers.
 Find out more about Paul & Myles: 👉 Inside Out Property Inspections (Paul Baker)
👉 Aus Property Reports (Myles Clark)

Read the REIV's "A Blueprint for Marketing of Residential Real Estate in Victoria” (what kickstarted Victoria’s new inspection proposal) 
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
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🔥 THE HILL I’LL DIE ON 🔥 
Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On, our Friday mini-series where industry experts share the one belief they stand firmly behind.
This week, Ben is joined by Nerida Conisbee, Chief Economist at Ray White, to unpack a key issue in today’s housing debate:
Investors provide rental housing.
Nerida explains why this often-overlooked reality plays a critical role in the property market — and what happens when investor participation declines.
The conversation explores rental supply, affordability pressures, policy impacts, and the importance of maintaining a steady pipeline of rental accommodation.
If you’re trying to make sense of rising rents and the broader housing conversation, this episode provides valuable context.
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:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

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:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube

📌 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:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Youtube