Monthly vacancy rates The volume and change of vacant rentals

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Australia’s rental market conditions are still tight and competitive, with the overall vacancy rate dropping to its lowest point on record after holding steady for four consecutive months.

The national vacancy rate declined to 0.9% in July, down from 1.0% in June and 1.7% in July 2021, according to the latest data from Domain.

Vacancy rates declined across half of the capital cities while holding steady in Brisbane, Canberra, and Hobart.

Only Darwin reported an increase in vacancy rate over the month, reaching the record it had during the same time last year at 0.6%.

Monthly vacancy rates

Jul-22 Jun-22 Jul-21 Monthly change Annual change
National 0.9% 1.0% 1.7% ↓ ↓
Combined Capitals 1.0% 1.1% 2.1% ↓ ↓
Combined Regionals 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% – –
Sydney 1.3% 1.4% 2.4% ↓ ↓
Melbourne 1.4% 1.5% 3.5% ↓ ↓
Brisbane 0.6% 0.6% 1.2% – ↓
Perth 0.5% 0.6% 0.7% ↓ ↓
Adelaide 0.2% 0.3% 0.6% ↓ ↓
Hobart 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% – –
Canberra 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% – ↑
Darwin 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% ↑ –

Source: Domain

The decline in vacancy rates was due to a 45.4% annual fall in vacant rental listings — this indicates that most, if not all, of the markets in Australia remains “firmly in favour” of landlords.

This also means that tenants are likely to face further increases in asking rents.

The volume and change of vacant rentals

Jul-22 Monthly change Annual change
National 22,908 -6.4% -45.4%
Sydney 7,302 -9.0% -47.2%
Melbourne 7,043 -10.7% -59.2%
Brisbane 1,495 4.3% -49.4%
Perth 879 -7.2% -28.2%
Adelaide 307 -9.2% -60.6%
Hobart 106 -10.2% -2.8%
Canberra 340 1.5% 17.2%
Darwin 112 16.7% -5.1%
Combined Capitals 17,584 -8.3% -51.9%
Combined Regionals 5,324 0.4% -1.4%

Source: Domain

Domain Research House said while vacancy rates remained on a downtrend last month, rental conditions are likely to stabilise in the coming months due to the rise of investment activity.

“Cooling purchasing conditions and the introduction of first-home buyer incentives should assist in this rental crisis with the gradual transition of tenants to homeowners, easing rental demand,” Domain said.

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Photo by TierraMallorca from Pixabay.