New data reveals record yields in Australian rental markets in 2022
The best performing cities for investors may not be where you think
2 min
The Australian rental market achieved record growth over 2022 as yields go from strength to strength, CoreLogic reports.
While CoreLogic’s Quarterly Rental Review for Q4 2022 showed a slowdown in the pace of growth for the second consecutive month in December last year, rentals experienced a record 10.2 percent increase over the year.
The December results are just the latest markers of a rental yield upswing, which has seen values rise 22.2 percent since September 2020, the largest upswing on record. It has taken the national median weekly rent valuation from $430 to $519.
Author of the report and CoreLogic head of research, Eliza Owen, said December figures revealed a 2 percent increase, down from a 2.3 percent increase in the September quarter, coinciding with a lift in the rental vacancy rate to 1.17 percent.
“The decline in quarterly rental growth rates observed in the December quarter was led by the capital cities where rents continued to increase but at a slightly slower rate than they have done in September and June quarters,” she said.
In the capital cities, Canberra still holds the top position as Australia’s most expensive city to rent, with a median weekly rental value of $681, edging out Sydney at $679 per week, followed by Darwin at $579 per week.
At the other end of the scale, Melbourne maintains the title of Australia’s most affordable rental capital at $507 per week, followed by Adelaide on $518, Hobart on $552, Perth at $553 and Brisbane at $588.
Ms Owen points to shifts in migration patterns in recent years to explain the disparity between the country’s largest capitals and Canberra, which reveal a weakening trend for new arrivals in Canberra compared with Sydney and Melbourne.
“Unlike Canberra, high levels of net overseas migration to NSW and Victoria has vastly offset negative net internal migration flows in the year to June 2022,” Ms Owen said. “Prior to the pandemic, Sydney and Melbourne alone accounted for around two thirds of net overseas arrivals, with high density city centres being among the most popular destinations. This has likely contributed to unprecedented annual growth in unit rents over 2022, which was 15.5 percent across Sydney and 14.2 percent in Melbourne.”
Borrowers cannot control the Reserve Bank, but they can control how exposed their household budget is to its next decision. The RBA meets on 29 September with inflation concerns still elevated and major-bank economists increasingly bringing forward their rate-rise calls. Fixed mortgage rates have also been moving, reducing the value of waiting for perfect certainty. …
Continue reading “What mortgage holders should do before the next RBA decision”
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2 minBorrowers cannot control the Reserve Bank, but they can control how exposed their household budget is to its next decision.
The RBA meets on 29 September with inflation concerns still elevated and major-bank economists increasingly bringing forward their rate-rise calls. Fixed mortgage rates have also been moving, reducing the value of waiting for perfect certainty.
The first task is to calculate the impact of another 0.25 percentage-point increase. Indicative Canstar figures reported earlier this month suggest that such a move would add about $91 a month to repayments on a $600,000 loan, $122 on $800,000 and $152 on $1 million, although actual changes depend on rate, term and loan structure.
The second task is to compare the current loan with the market. Borrowers should examine the interest rate, annual package fee, offset balance, redraw rules and the revert rate on any expiring fixed portion. A lower advertised rate is not necessarily a better deal after fees, lost features or refinancing costs.
Third, test the household budget at least one percentage point above the current rate. This is not a forecast; it is a resilience exercise. Include council rates, strata, insurance, maintenance, school costs and realistic discretionary spending. Investors should also allow for vacancy and repairs rather than assuming uninterrupted rent.
Fourth, contact the existing lender before lodging multiple applications. A borrower with a sound repayment history may be able to negotiate a discount without refinancing. If the offer is weak, obtain comparable quotes and seek advice on whether changing lenders will genuinely improve the position.
Fifth, preserve liquidity. Using every available dollar to reduce principal may feel prudent, but an offset account can provide interest savings while retaining access to cash. The right structure depends on tax position and loan purpose, particularly where owner-occupied and investment debt coexist.
Borrowers considering a fixed rate face a trade-off. Fixing can provide repayment certainty, but may restrict additional repayments, offsets or early exit. Splitting a loan can diversify rate exposure without removing risk.
The worst time to examine a mortgage is after repayments have become unmanageable. A review conducted now gives borrowers more choices: renegotiate, refinance, adjust spending or build a buffer while their record remains strong.
Borrower checklist
Calculate: Repayments after a 0.25 and one percentage-point increase.
Compare: Rate, fees, offset, redraw, cashback conditions and total cost.
Review: Fixed-rate expiry, interest-only expiry and remaining loan term.
Protect: Emergency liquidity and insurance.
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