Australian renters ‘ignored’ in election

05 July 2016 by News Desk   |   SHARE  

Following the election many Australian renters believe their voices have not been heard or their concerns addressed.

The two main political parties failed to address the needs and concerns of Australian renters during the election campaign, a new poll reveals.

Almost 85 per cent of renters feel they have not been acknowledge in the lead up to the election.

Housing affordability, health and economy were named as main priorities by renters who would to see more support, improved services and dedicated financial incentives.

Australia’s Generation Rent also seeks recognition of renting as an accepted lifestyle choice, according to a survey by Rent.com.au.

“Housing and lifestyle in Australia are changing fast,” says Darrell Todd, founder of thinkingaustralia.

“Increasing numbers of people aged 18 to 35 now rent rather than own their own home. For many it’s a necessity, for others it’s a lifestyle choice.

“But this growing majority of people believe they are being overlooked by government. They now seek greater recognition of this change in society, and more formal support for the rental sector.”

What Australian renters pay

The average rent across all properties is $485 per week. It costs an average of $488 per week to rent a house and $467 for an apartment.

Across most capital cities, rents for houses and flats have remained flat for the past 12 months with growth at its weakest since 1996. Market trends suggest rents will even start to fall during 2016.

Renters in Darwin have enjoyed the downward trend with rents falling by 13 per cent. Rents have fallen in Perth by 8.4 per cent and by 1% in Adelaide and Brisbane.

Australian renters are paying more in Sydney, where costs have risen 1.5% to around $600 per week.

In Melbourne rental costs increased by 2.2 per cent to an average of $453 per week.

In Canberra, rents have risen by 1.6%. In Hobart rents have remained flat and the city offers the cheapest major city to rent at an average of $341 per week – around half the cost of renting in Sydney.

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