South Australia’s rental crisis shows no signs of abating in 2023 with a backlog of still-to-be-built homes further restricting supply.
Real estate experts say rising interest rates are also adding more pressure, and frustration is growing among renters across the state.
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PropTrack and realestate.com.au’s Best of the Best report shows not only has rent reached record levels in SA, but the demand for rental properties has far exceeded supply.
And data for the most in-demand suburbs reveals renters are looking for a home anywhere across metropolitan Adelaide.
Leabrook in Adelaide’s east has taken out the top spot as the most sought-after suburb for houses among prospective tenants. It has recorded an annual growth of more than 154 per cent in engagers per listing.
Sophie Campbell of Harris Real Estate who recently listed a Leabrook home for rent said the rental market was very strong in the suburb.
“I recently had 17 groups through on the first open, and compared to last year, there’s been a huge surge in demand,” Ms Campbell said.
The suburb is closely followed by Osborne in the city’s northwest which has seen engagement per listing grow by 88.20 per cent over the past 12 months. Ridleyton, Devon Park and Port Adelaide are next on the list, recording more than 66 per cent annual growth each.
For units, Hyde Park has been top choice among renters, recording an increase of 147.79 per cent in engagers per listing.
PropTrack senior economist Paul Ryan said it was not surprising to see demand for rentals right across metropolitan Adelaide.
“With so few rentals available and Adelaide’s vacancy rate sitting at 0.9 per cent, it’s not surprising to see renters chasing whatever is available,” Mr Ryan said.
“Rental conditions are so tight in Adelaide that people can’t be too picky about where they want to rent. They have to go with what’s available, which is really a frustrating situation for renters at the moment.”
Regionally, Jamestown recorded the highest growth for houses listed, up by 97.20 per cent while unit listings in Renmark saw a whopping increase of 167.32 per cent.
Mr Ryan said the market was “tightest in regional SA” with a vacancy rate of 0.8 per cent, the lowest in the country along with Perth and Hobart.
“There’s a huge backlog of houses still being built, which means a further tightening of rental supply and increases in rental costs seems likely over the coming year,” he said.
The limited supply of stock coupled with strong demand is leading to heightened increases in rental prices, the data reported.
Turner Real Estate CEO Emma Slape said while 2022 has been a year of continuing strong demand and rent rises right across metropolitan Adelaide, it will take a while for the pressures to ease.
“There hasn’t been any easing in tenant demands. We are still seeing very strong reactions to family homes because we have seen the availability of large, three to four bedroom homes decrease as homebuyers have bought into the market,” Ms Slape said.
“The solution to the current tight rental market is either more rental supply or less rental demand. When first home buyers move out of rental stock and into their homes, it will ease some pressure.
“We need more investors in the market and hopefully as people move around Australia, now with borders open, that will change supply and demand as well.”
Medindie was the most expensive suburb to rent in 2022 with a median weekly rent of $990.
It was followed by Malvern and Glenunga where homes had a median weekly rent of $863 and $850 respectively.
For units, Eastwood was the costliest with a median weekly rent of $495.
Tenants in regional SA were equally hit by rising rents – Port Elliot was the most expensive to rent with a median weekly rent for a house sitting at $495. Units in Victor Harbor were also the most expensive to rent with a weekly median rent of $535.
The data also revealed the suburbs that have recorded the highest growth in rent. With median house rents up by 25 per cent, Burton in Adelaide’s north was the most lucrative for landlords.
Median house rents also increased by more than 23 per cent in Beulah Park and Woodville South.
PropTrack and realestate.com.au’s Best of the Best: The Winners
Most in demand rentals – Metro Houses
Suburb, YoY % growth in engagers per listing
Leabrook, 154.16%
Osborne, 88.20%
Ridleyton, 77.06%
Devon Park, 67.77%
Port Adelaide, 66.40%
Most in demand rentals – Metro Units
Hyde Park, 147.79%
Forestville, 110.85%
Salisbury East, 108.33%
Woodville Park, 97.39%
Glandore, 93.36%
Most in demand rentals – Regional Houses
Jamestown, 97.20%
Renmark, 67.75%
Naracoorte, 67.32%
Coffin Bay, 60.08%
Kadina, 59.57%
Most in demand rentals – Regional Units
Renmark, 167.32%
Berri, 96.53%
Barmera, 88.92%
Roxby Downs, 39.33%
Whyalla, 35.01%
Highest growth in rentals – Metro Houses
Suburb, Rent (as on 31 Oct 2022), Change in median rent in 12 months
Burton, $450, 25.0%
Beulah Park, $590, 24.2%
Woodville South, $520, 23.8%
Seaford, $450, 21.6%
Elizabeth Downs, $340, 21.4%
Highest growth in rentals – Metro Units
Brighton, $430, 22.9%
Ascot Park, $400,19.4%
Grange, $380, 18.8%
Woodville West, $380, 18.8%
Paradise, $380,18.8%
Highest growth in rentals – Regional Houses
Encounter Bay, $480, 25.5%
Millicent, $275, 19.6%
Port Augusta West, $320, 18.5%
Port Augusta, $290, 16.0%
Risdon Park, $230, 15.0%
Highest growth in rentals – Regional Units
Naracoorte, $210, 20.0%
Port Augusta, $218, 14.5%
Mount Gambier, $250, 13.6%
Tanunda, $295, 11.3%
Barmera, $213, 9.0%
Highest weekly rents – Metro Houses
Suburb, Rent (as on 31 Oct 2022)
Medindie, $990
Malvern, $863
Glenunga, $850
Hazelwood Park, $840
Glen Osmond, $765
Highest weekly rents – Metro Units
Eastwood, $495
Brompton, $490
West Lakes, $480
Tranmere, $480
Bowden, $470
Highest weekly rents – Regional Houses
Port Elliot, $495
Encounter Bay, $480
Middleton, $455
Lyndoch, $450
Hindmarsh Island, $450
Highest weekly rents – Regional Units
Victor Harbor, $535
Nuriootpa, $310
Roxby Downs, $300
Tanunda, $295
Port Lincoln, $280
Lowest weekly rents – Metro Houses
Elizabeth South, $300
Elizabeth Grove, $300
Elizabeth North, $315
Evanston, $320
Davoren Park, $320
Lowest weekly rents – Metro Units
Elizabeth Vale, $226
Salisbury East, $280
Gawler South, $285
Salisbury, $290
Salisbury North, $300
Lowest weekly rents – Regional Houses
Peterborough, $193
Risdon Park, $230
Jamestown, $245
Whyalla Stuart, $250
Whyalla Norrie, $250
Lowest weekly rents – Regional Units
Whyalla Playford, $180
Naracoorte, $210
Barmera, $213
Port Augusta, $218
Whyalla, $223
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