The suburbs where demand for share housing has hit historic highs
Some parts of Sydney have hundreds of people competing for just a single room listing
2 min
Demand for share housing has soared as cost of living pressures and a tight rental market push more renters out of single person households.
Data from Flatmates.com.au reveals January recorded the highest month for active members on record, with 212,000 members and more than one million visits to the site.
Membership also rose significantly over January, up 22 percent month on month, with more than 67,000 new members joining the platform.
Demand for share households in Sydney was highest for the eastern suburbs, with 344 people competing for just one listed room in Tamarama. Those seeking a room in Bronte did not fare much better, with 846 people seeking space and just four rooms available. Elizabeth Bay, Clovelly and the Northern Beaches suburb of Curl Curl all made the top 10 of most in-demand areas to live. Three inner circle suburbs in Melbourne — Fitzroy, Malvern and Fitzroy North — were also in high demand, with 1,738 people on the site interested in renting in Fitzroy and just 10 rooms available.
Community manager for Flatmates.com.au Claudia Conley, said January was traditionally a busy time for the site, with cost of living pressures further motivating renters to engage in shared household arrangements. An 18.8 percent increase in property listings over the past year had done little to address the imbalance between supply and demand, she said.
“January is the busiest month of the year for share accommodation with lots of domestic and international travel across cities and states,” Ms Conley said. “The university semester is about to start, many members are looking to move for new jobs, most leases are renewed at this time of year, and migration is high as people flock to Australia for that quintessential Aussie summer experience.
“Add to this a cost-of-living and rental crisis leading even more people to turn to share accommodation than usual, it’s no surprise that this January has been our busiest month ever.”
The PropTrack Rental Report December 2023 showed rental stock at historic lows, down 4.6 percent on December 2022 and 20.7 percent lower than the 10-year average for the month. Higher demand has been followed by higher rents. Over 2023, median advertised rent of realestate.com.au rose 11.5 percent over the year to $580 per week.
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A Name Steeped in History, A Home Built for the Future. Timeless architecture, premium residences, and an exceptional Inner West location come together at Maybelle. With construction nearing completion, buyers can move into their brand-new home by the end of the year and purchase with confidence, knowing their home is backed by 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance.
3 min
Almost a century before construction began, two sisters unknowingly inspired one of Sydney’s newest residential addresses.
Local landowner and developer John Henry Schroeder combined his daughters’ names, Isobel and May, to create Ismay Avenue, a street name that has become part of the area’s identity, still visible today in Ismay Reserve. The Maybelle borrows that story rather than inventing one. It takes its name from Isobel and May, drawing a direct line between the development and the history sitting right outside its front door.
More than simply another apartment building, it reflects a vision of creating homes that honour the past while looking confidently to the future.
Developed and built by Omaya, a family-owned company with more than 35 years of experience, The Maybelle reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, quality and creating communities that stand the test of time.
Located beside Ismay Reserve, the boutique collection of one, two and three-bedroom residences combines timeless architecture by Squillace Architects, premium interiors and exclusive resident amenities within one of Sydney’s most connected Inner West locations.
Location is one of The Maybelle’s defining strengths, residents are moments from train stations, bus services and the M4 Motorway.
Positioned just moments from North Strathfield, Bakehouse Quarter, Sydney Olympic Park, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, residents enjoy the perfect balance of green open space, vibrant local amenity and exceptional connectivity.
Surrounded by cafés, restaurants, leading public and private schools, shopping and parklands, The Maybelle offers a lifestyle where everything is within easy reach.
Designed to embrace its unique park-side setting, many residences enjoy expansive balconies overlooking Ismay Reserve, while selected homes capture elevated views across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline.
Spacious open-plan layouts, premium fixtures and finishes, and two carefully curated interior schemes create homes that are both beautifully refined and designed for everyday living.
The lifestyle extends well beyond each apartment. Residents will enjoy exclusive access to a full-level Garden Pavilion on Level 8, featuring beautifully landscaped spaces for entertaining, recreation, remote working and gathering with family, friends and neighbours.
Complementing this is the elevated Sky Terrace on Level 14, where sweeping Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline views create a tranquil setting to relax, recharge and enjoy the remarkable outlook.
As both developer and builder, Omaya oversees every stage of the project – from planning through to construction – ensuring quality, accountability and meticulous attention to detail throughout.
Buyers can also purchase with confidence, knowing The Maybelle is protected by 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance, providing additional peace of mind long after settlement.
With construction nearing completion, buyers will be moving into their brand-new homes by the end of the year, offering a rare opportunity to secure a premium residence without the lengthy wait often associated with off-the-plan developments.
For those seeking more than just a new apartment, The Maybelle offers something increasingly rare – a home with an authentic story, a genuine connection to its surroundings and a lifestyle that brings together heritage, nature, connectivity and contemporary design in one exceptional address.
Now selling premium one, two and three-bedroom residences. To learn more or book a private appointment, visit www.themaybelle.com.au or call 1300 066 292.
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