Australia’s Rental Crisis Deepens
A fall in vacancies has seen rents rise by as much as 21% in some capitals.
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Rents in some Australian capital cities have seen asking prices jump by as much as 21% in the past year, with further rises likely in the coming months according to data from SQM research.
Across the combined capitals, asking rents for houses ascended nearly 15% during the year, while unit rents rose 11%.
The growing number of tenants living on their own combined with the return of international students has seen strong rental demand at a time when supply was diminishing according to Louis Christopher, SQM Research managing director.
“The magnitude of rental increases across the country is unprecedented,” said Louis Christopher, SQM Research managing director. “I’ve never seen such sweeping rental increases nationwide, ever.”
Brisbane saw the highest increase in asking house rents with a 21.2% rise in the past year. This was followed by Sydney’s rise of 19.1%, Canberra (16%), Adelaide (15.5%), and Perth (12.2%) while rents climbed 10.7 in Darwin, 7.6% in Melbourne and 7.1% in Hobart.
The number of available rental homes has also dipped sharply across the inner-city suburbs of Australia.
Melbourne’s CBD saw vacancies slump by 69.1% to 556, while Brisbane fell by 70% to 141. Sydney also fell steeply, posting a decline of 45.2% to 323 in Sydney CBD, while the inner-west recorded a 54.1% drop alongside a 52.8% drop in the eastern suburbs and a 47% drop in the lower north shore.
In the Adelaide CBD, the number of vacant rental apartments plummeted by 78.7% to 82 while Perth’s CBD dropped by 37.8% to 84.
“The rental crisis has deepened with rental vacancy rates across the country falling to just 1 per cent.”
“As a result, market rents have exploded. And the recent monthly data suggests we are still not at the worst point of the crisis,” added Christopher.
Early indications from several big regional real-estate boards suggest March was overall another down month.
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A heritage-listed Federation estate with tennis court, pool and studio, Marika offers timeless elegance and modern family living in the heart of Hunters Hill.
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A grand old dame who has stood the test of time, Marika is a slice of Hunters Hill heritage transformed for modern-day living.
Meticulously renovated between 1981 and 1983, with several updates since, Marika made it onto the heritage register in 1999 just in time to signal a new millennium. Today, the modernised mansion is on the market with an auction price guide of $7.5 million, marketed through BresicWhitney’s Nicholas McEvoy.
“The home is a fantastic opportunity for a discerning buyer to get a grand family estate-style property, with a pool, tennis court and grounds, for a price that’s much more affordable than expected,” McEvoy says.
Sitting pretty on the corner of Augustine St and Ryde Rd, the stately Federation residence occupies a sprawling 2472sq m block, which was once part of a 30-acre land grant handed to Frederick Augustus Hayne in 1835. In 1902, he sold it to Dr Leopold Augustus Carter, a local dentist. Two years later, Marika, then known as “Ryde”, appeared in the famed Sands Directory – the social media of its era – a symbol of its architectural significance.
Surrounded by manicured gardens with sculpted hedges, a pool and full tennis court, Marika is a prime example of Federation style with contemporary elements.
Inside, the single-level five-bedroom home showcases intricate craftsmanship, from its decorative gables, period archways and bay windows to the coloured glass panels on multiple doors and windows. Elegant formal rooms have high ornate ceilings that are a preserved nod to Marika’s past, while the more modern spaces are relaxed family-friendly zones.
Thanks to a pavilion-style addition, the L-shaped layout measures 450sq m internally and wraps around a central courtyard that plays host to the alfresco dining terrace and pool, while a wide veranda frames the original front rooms of the house.
Primary living spaces, including the dining area with integrated bar, open to the great outdoors via stacker doors and the 21st century kitchen has a large island bench and a butler’s pantry with hidden access to the triple lock up garage. There is also a dedicated media room, a library or home office, plus a separate family room with a beautiful bay window.
All bedrooms feature built-ins while the main retreat, and a second bedroom, have shower ensuites. The shared bathroom houses convenient twin vanities and a freestanding bathtub.
Beyond the interiors, Marika delivers resort amenities with a full-sized, floodlit tennis court, the pool, barbecue terrace and a self-contained studio apartment with the added bonus of Harbour Bridge glimpses.
Added extras include a converted loft storage space, a large laundry with side yard access, ducted air conditioning, multiple fireplaces, solar panels with a battery backup and modern insulation.
Accessed via Augustine St, Marika is close to St Joseph’s College, Boronia Park shops, local ovals and city transport.
Marika at 59 Augustine St, Hunters Hill is set to go under the hammer on April 26, on site at 9am with a price guide of $7.5 million. The listing is with Nicholas McEvoy and Narelle Scott of BresicWhitney Hunters Hill.
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Architect Mark Rios and his husband, Dr. Guy Ringler, spent 18 months renovating the house, which was originally designed by John Elgin Woolf.
