Australia's Rental Crisis Deepens

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.

Tucked away in Byron Bay’s coveted hinterland, Whimsy Farm is a traditional rural homestead surrounded by more than 16ha of lush fertile grounds with equestrian facilities and a host of whimsical additions including a fairytale-inspired maze.

Just listed with Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay, agents Denzil Lloyd and Will Phillips are running an expressions of interest campaign on the glamorous getaway with a price guide of $5.25 million to $5.75 million.

The romantic estate in Federal, 25 kms from Byron Bay dates back more than a century, but has been meticulously renovated by its current owners to attain modern day dream home status.

Back in 2016, the enviable property even featured on Foxtel’s short-lived reality TV show I Own Australia’s Best Home. The picturesque parcel has also been appreciated by location scouts and has appeared in a long list of fashion brand and magazine shoots such as Country Style and Queensland Homes.

Owner Melinda Boundy, founder of boutique interiors firm Melinda Boundy Design, was instrumental in reviving the historic Federal homestead. She has described the rural property as a “a respite from the world” where she and her husband have raised their two sons over the past decade.

“I brought my boys down 10 years ago to nurture their creativity, their boyhood,” Boundy said in a recent Instagram post announcing the impending sale.

“We found our farm with its double-storey treehouse and 40 acres the perfect place for two young boys to thrive.”

In addition to hiring out the estate for formal events, Boundy said the family had celebrated several milestones at the address.

“Many parties, sleepovers, friends staying and events have been held [here]. It has seen the filming of a TV show or two, music videos, location shoots and weddings,” she added.

“Now it’s time to pass the baton to another family to share the magic and wonderment of this beautiful compound.”

Lloyd agreed that the listing is a magical estate, ripe for the picking.

“It’s a wonderland. There’s the maze, but it’s also got the treehouse, teepee, dams, beautiful established veggie gardens and it’s perfect for those who love horse riding,” Mr Lloyd said.

“It really is an oasis with plenty of classical charm as well. It’s not an ostentatious home; it’s an original Queenslander from 1910.”

Living up to its storybook name, Whimsy Farm is home to a preserved traditional Queenslander residence with five bedrooms, plus a freestanding guest cottage. There is also a separate pool house and a combined shed or office on site, all capturing scenic hinterland views.

The main single-storey residence has a choice of entertaining spaces inside and out as well as bedrooms opening to private alfresco areas. A grand kitchen and the large living room both open to a vast terrace and pool area.

In the primary bedrooms suite there is a bay window overlooking the natural surrounds, an ensuite with double vanities, and out on the covered deck an outdoor bathtub is an idyllic spot for soaking under the stars.

The playful property has also operated as a holiday rental and offers up unique bonus features including a solar-heated semi circle pool, a double-storey treehouse, a teepee, horse stables, paddocks and a an Olympic-sized dressage arena.

A true tree change destination, the Federal address is home to 10 acres of regenerated forest, eight water tanks, two lagoons, extensive raised veggie gardens and a citrus orchard.

It is conveniently located a scenic 30-minute drive to Byron Bay and 20 minutes to Bangalow.

Whimsy Farm at 711 Federal Dr, Federal is listed through Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay through an expressions of interest campaign closing February 20, 5pm.

Australia’s Rental Crisis Deepens

A fall in vacancies has seen rents rise by as much as 21% in some capitals.

Whimsy Farm is a playful period estate positioned in Byron Bay’s picturesque hinterland.