Negative gearing and capital gains tax deductions on property investments are “bad policies” that are likely to come under scrutiny again as surging interest rates prompt more people to use them, mortgage broker and former Celebrity Apprentice host Mark Bouris says.

Low borrowing costs slashed the number of investors negatively gearing properties – or offsetting rental losses against other earnings – because rents were more than investors paid in interest, but higher rates would again make mortgage payments greater than rents for many, Mr Bouris said.