I get this question all the time. Most property investment commentators will tell you that a vacancy rate under 2–3% is a sign of a strong rental market. That answer, however, is incomplete, and in some cases, dangerously misleading. Relying on vacancy rates alone has cost many investors significant money, particularly in inner-city apartment markets…
Property management used to be about collecting the rent, fixing leaky taps, and making sure the lawn got mowed. That’s what we hired managers for, wasn’t it? But fast-forward to 2025, and we’re looking at a whole new ball game. Today’s property managers are part strategist, part tech-whiz, part asset manager – and all of…
For the past few years, Australia’s rental market has been in overdrive. Investors have seen record returns, renters have felt the pinch, and headlines have been dominated by “crisis” talk. But now, as we begin a new year, something’s shifted. No, rents haven’t crashed. In fact, they’re still sitting near record highs in most capital…
If you thought buying property was getting harder, try renting the dream lifestyle. Across Australia, rents have skyrocketed so fast that simply living where you want is becoming a luxury for some people. New research from Domain paints a stark picture of our rental future, one where proximity, prestige and even basic comfort come with…
I once knew of a young tenant who was the epitome of an A-grade tenant. He paid his rent on time, rarely asked for any repairs or maintenance, kept the house in good condition, and was overall very pleasant to deal with. Things continued in this manner for several years, until one day, it slowly…
Something remarkable is happening across Victoria’s most desirable suburbs, and not in a good way. Thousands of landlords are quietly exiting the rental market, leaving behind a growing void that’s reshaping our property landscape. According to realestate.com.au the latest tenancy bond data, shows that more than 10,000 fewer rental bonds are active across the state…
Every so often, a headline flashes across the media warning that Australia is “becoming a nation of renters.” It’s dramatic. It’s clickable. And it taps into a very real anxiety among Australians, especially younger ones, who feel homeownership drifting further out of reach. But as with most sweeping claims about the property market, the truth…
After three relentless years of rent hikes that pushed many tenants to their financial limits, Australia’s rental market has finally hit pause. But make no mistake, this isn’t a sign that tenants are suddenly getting relief. It’s more like the market has reached its ceiling. According to Domain’s Chief of Research and Economics, Dr Nicola…
The federal government is exploring ways to unlock billions of dollars from Australia’s $4 trillion superannuation system to help boost rental housing supply. At first glance, this looks like a win-win solution: more capital flowing into the housing sector, more stock built, and a step toward easing the chronic rental shortage. But as is often…
Governments love quick fixes, especially when it comes to housing. That’s why Victoria’s new “Airbnb tax” was hailed as a game-changer; a bold policy to push thousands of homes from short-term holiday lets back into the long-term rental market. However, here’s the uncomfortable truth: instead of freeing up housing, the levy has only added costs,…
