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
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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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Now selling from Level 9, this new tower pairs skyline and Harbour Bridge views with the quiet of Ismay Reserve, and pricing from just $560,000 for one, two and three-bedroom residences.
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The skyline at Sydney’s Homebush is about to change, and The Maybelle is leading the charge.
The new residential tower has officially opened sales from Level 9, offering one, two and three-bedroom residences priced from $560,000, with move-in slated for late 2026.
What sets The Maybelle apart is its position. Residents on higher floors will wake up to sweeping city skyline and Harbour Bridge views.
The building overlooks the leafy calm of Ismay Reserve, giving owners the rare combination of a genuine outlook and a sense of green space, without compromising on either.
Location is doing plenty of the heavy lifting, too.
The Maybelle sits moments from the popular Homebush dining and lifestyle precinct, and is well connected to Strathfield, Sydney Olympic Park and the Sydney CBD, making it a strong option for buyers who want city access without giving up a slower pace at home.
For buyers considering their options in Sydney’s inner west, the appeal is straightforward: a genuine outlook, a connected address and an entry price that remains competitive for the location.
Registrations are now open for exclusive launch access. Get VIP access today.
Be the first to view floor plans, pricing, and availability before they are made public.
Register now at themaybelle.com.au or call 1300 066 292.
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