The property changes you need to be noting on your 2014 calendar

This year, 2014, is set to be a busy one with many annoucements and changes coming in that any property investor should be aware of. We've compiled this calendar, which we will be adding to as events come onto our radar - email anything you've found to news@propertyobserver.com.au - and keeping track of. 

Here are the property dates you should be keeping on your radar.

FEBRUARY

4th: The first rate announcement of 2014. The experts last year almost unanimously agreed that we're seeing the bottom of the rate cycle and fixing soon is a good idea.

The Block begins, the first of two times it will run this year.

When Parliament resumes, we will see Queensland's controversial splitting of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 where it is to become the Property Occupations Bill and the Agents Financial Administration Bill 2013. Here are the impacts it may have on real estate agents.

In New South Wales, changes to the State Environmental Planning Policy will commence from 22nd February. The government notes that this will "Give more home owners and businesses access to streamlined approvals for low impact development, like building or renovating a home, or a new commercial or industrial premises". It saw mixed responses a few months back.

MARCH

Emporium Melbourne will have likely been opened by the end of this month.

Sydney's light rail will see construction beginning around this time.

APRIL

By now, the New South Wales strata law changes should have been confirmed. They are expected to have a significant impact on the market in 2014, here is what you need to know.

And by this point, changes in "early 2014" to the Residential Tenancies Legislation in South Australia should have been brought in. These include improved regulation of entry and inspection times, regulation of residential tenancy databases (tenant blacklists), making it easier to deal with abandoned goods, improving regulation of rooming house agreements, improving administration of Tribunal and protection for lifestyle village residents.

MAY

Home Buyer and Property Investor show for Brisbane property enthusiasts.

JUNE

In Tasmania, while the full $30,000 First Home Builders Boost is available until the end of 2014, the $7000 First Home Owner’s Grant for existing homes expires at the end of June 2014.

In South Australia, off-the-plan stamp duty concessions of up to $21,330, capped at $500,000, are available up until 30 June 2014. The established first home owners grant also finishes at this time.

Get your tax returns sorted out!

JULY

All Victoria's Reformed Residential Zones will have been introduced by Councils by this point.

Home Buyer and Property Investor show for Sydney property enthusiasts.

For August to December, see over page

AUGUST

Home Buyer and Property Investor show for Melbourne property enthusiasts.

SEPTEMBER

Victoria's First Home Owners will have their payable duty reduced by a further 10% from 1st September, bringing the total savings for those eligible up to 50%.

OCTOBER

Grand Designs Live visits Melbourne and Sydney.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Investors will be preparing for changes being brought in to WA law next year, requiring properties to have certain added safety levels, such as security locks on windows by mid-2015. 

Any Australian owners of UK property will also want to ensure they are aware of the extra tax they will be levied with come 2015 if they make profits. Think of it as a version of the capital gains tax.

Keep an eye on this calendar through the year as we add to it the dates you need to keep an eye out for.

jduke@propertyobserver.com.au