A first of its kind ABS release today revealed 20% of capital city rent stock is priced lower than in March 2020.

There has been a lot of focus recently on rental pressures that tenants across the country are struggling with, mainly driven by vacancy rates and a surge in overseas migration.

However, the ABS have highlighted housing in inner city suburbs (<12.5kms from the city centre), where rates in many cases are still lower than before the pandemic.

Rent in more than a third (36%) of inner city suburbs across the eight capitals are currently lower than early 2020, driven by Sydney (49%) and Melbourne (62%).

It's easy to forget, but throughout the pandemic, rental inflation in Australia's largest cities was negative, with more densely populated areas becoming most affected by lockdowns and restrictions.

Unsurprisingly, areas closest to the city centres were most affected, and while these areas have seen substantial growth in the aftermath of Covid-19, rents have not caught back up in many cases.

Deficit to be short lived?

For some, this might be an encouraging sign that perhaps some of the hysteria around conditions faced by renters has been exaggerated.

Rental inflation though continues to accelerate, and it isn't likely to be long before these suburbs catch up and overtake the pre-Covid benchmarks.

As we return to normal, growth to rents in regional areas is slowing, while capital city inflation continues to swell.

About 15% of the available stock in these inner city areas is already being rented for at least 10% higher rates than pre-pandemic levels.

This number becomes 45% when you take out Sydney and Melbourne, where the most dramatic drop in rental rates occurred.

However, in both Sydney and Melbourne, the percentage of rents at or below pandemic levels is decreasing, as demand for housing in the middle of Australia's largest business districts continues to increase.


Buying an investment property or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for investors.

Update resultsUpdate
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.19% p.a.
6.58% p.a.
$2,447
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
Featured 90% LVR
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6.29% p.a.
6.20% p.a.
$2,473
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
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  • A low-rate variable investment home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
6.29% p.a.
6.42% p.a.
$2,473
Principal & Interest
Variable
$10
$690
90%
6.29% p.a.
6.57% p.a.
$2,473
Principal & Interest
Variable
$299
$299
80%
6.29% p.a.
6.35% p.a.
$2,473
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$799
80%
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Picture by Denise Jans on Unsplash





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