‘Totally disgusting’: Surprise results of Boomers’ empty houses poll

Baby Boomers finally feel free to enjoy life.

A social poll asking whether a tax break will help around 60k Baby Boomers “rattling around” in large empty houses move on to better digs has had some surprising results.

Born after World War II to the mid 1960s, Baby Boomers have become the wealthiest generation on the planet thanks in large part to astronomical escalation in property prices, and around 60,000 are estimated to be living in homes too large for their needs that they cannot take care of without help – which prompted the question of whether a tax break might help make that decision easier. The feedback came thick and fast.

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A large bulk of Aussies cannot fathom asking Baby Boomers to leave their homes for smaller properties more suited to their needs.

Around 45 per cent of 1,117 people who responded were a clear no on the question of a tax break to move on, 36 per cent were a clear yes, 13 per cent laughed, 5 per cent expressed anger and the rest loved it.

The discussion was robust. “We have all worked jolly hard for our homes. How dare you to expect us to downsize to smaller units,” said respondent Robyn Needham. “Please tell me where are these units. We sell our houses and then nowhere to live. If the units are there why cannot they live in them. Totally disgusting, leave seniors alone, we all worked hard and now you want us gone.”

Respondent Rachael Hickey commented: “This is ridiculous. People shouldn’t feel like they have to give up their homes they worked hard for” – a view supported by Ruth Griffin who said “their homes were purchased with interest of 18 per cent for a loan. You had to work and save for most, not rely on government”.

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There are government schemes to help older Aussies stay in their homes as long as they wish, paying for lawnmoving and other help.

“We rattle around in a 4 bed and I have no intention of selling up,” one respondent said. “If I do downsize the money becomes liable to tax as savings and they have had enough out of me already.”

There were many calls to look at other options including one by Lamgwynn McLeod saying “stop large scale investment buying! Limit purchasing of Australian properties to Australian citizens! Limit how many investment properties someone can own!”

Politicians’ own property portfolios were also drawn into the discussion, with Waz Virg commenting “Albo has just bought a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom mansion for him and his fiance. Is he giving it up for a one bedroom, one bathroom bungalow that would better suit his needs?”

Maureen Meehan added “what about all the investment properties owned by ALL politicians!!”

Vonnie Meier came out firing over government policy settings that led to this pressure on Boomers: “So the government has done nothing to build more houses, has overspent, has created a cost of living crisis and suddenly it’s the fault of people who have worked hard and saved their money? Leave them alone!!!”

Another respondent Tom Duracoski had a similar thought over policy: “overseas investment should be stopped and sold back to Australian citizens. You should and must be an Australian citizens to buy land and house’s in Australia.”

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Baby Boomers are also facing the prospect of adult children returning to the nest after life strife and escalating cost of living.

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It was a view shared by respondent Nic Kieboom who commented: “For most in the current market it’s the thought of selling and giving up the large family home they worked so hard for and only pay rates on to move into a much smaller home adequate for their current needs for the same price.”

“If they choose to stay in a similar area because some suburbs are selling 2-3 bedroom townhouses and apartments for as much as a full home in the same suburb, yet they have huge body corp fees, sinking fund fees and rates to pay too. So higher weekly expenses yet your sharing walls with your neighbours.”

“I don’t blame them for not wanting to make that change. Besides most Boomers like the idea of knowing they have space for family and friends to come stay when they enjoy the social company.”

“And why is it up to the Boomers to sort the housing mess out?! Why doesn’t the government restrict or put a stop to immigrants to help ease the burden. In 5.5 years since Covid we have had 13.9 million migrants enter Australia.”

“In 23/24 financial year we had 90k less than 22/23 financial year but that’s not a significant drop when we are still reaching nearly 500k migrants a year! If the Aus gov won’t stop that amount of migrants then they need to step up to the plate and fix the housing problem, they already don’t do enough!”

Respondent Jeanette Kebblewhite said “the govt is providing home care packages to encourage the elderly to stay in their own homes as long as possible. You can’t have it both ways.”

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