Forget dating apps – when it comes to tales of rejection, it seems that rental life is where it’s at.
A recent rent survey by realestate.com.au and Pedestrian.TV found more than 30% of Aussie renters had been knocked back on a rental application – more than three times. Ouch.
Victoria and Tasmania were found to be the biggest heartbreakers for renters seeking their perfect match, with particularly fierce competition in Hobart and Melbourne markets.
But across the board, Australian renters averaged one unsuccessful application before finding ‘the one’ – perhaps a rental rite of passage?
The survey also found age to be significant among the 18 to 35-year-old respondents. The younger you are, the more likely you’ll hear the old ‘N-O’ for your application.
Thrill of the chase
Finding the right match in sought-after capitals can be a competitive business.
In fact, 41% of renters said competition was the toughest part of the process of securing a home, ahead of bond (19%) and completing the application (14%).
Search-wise, 52% of men are more likely to look online for advice, while women tend to speak to family and friends.
Reaching out to their social network appears to be a popular method for seeking housemates – 44% moved in with friends they knew beforehand, but sadly, 39.7% lost a friendship after living together.
Much like dating, this can be a ‘make or break’ experience.
But on a positive note, 14% of respondents had started a romantic relationship with a housemate (success rate remains unconfirmed).
Most in-demand suburbs for renters
Tasmania dominated the most popular rental suburbs for the 12 months to 1 January, 2019, taking six of the top 10 spots on the national list.
- Glenorchy, TAS
- Kingston, TAS
- Claremont, TAS
- Tugun, QLD
- Lenah Valley, TAS
- Andrews Farm, SA
- Palm Beach, QLD
- South Hobart, TAS
- Lindisfarne, TAS
- Mudgeeraba, QLD
The survey found the average Aussie renter lives in Sydney or Melbourne, particularly around the gentrified inner-city, university locales and/or lifestyle areas.
In NSW, the top 10 suburbs were Paddington, Dee Why, North Narambeen, Manly, Newtown, Stanmore, Allambie Heights, Mosman, Willoughby and Baulkham Hills.
For Victoria, renters flocked to Hawthorn, Fitzroy North, Toorak, St Kilda, Richmond, South Yarra, Warrandyte, Hawthorn East, Clifton Hill and Essendon, all in Melbourne’s inner ring (except for popular northern retreat, Warrandyte).
Rankings are based on the highest number of property views per listing, in ratio to the number of listings that appear on realestate.com.au, including all dwelling types (houses and apartments).
Browse current rental listings and apply for your dream home via 1Form.
Realestate.com.au partnered with Pedestrian.TV for the 2018 Rent Survey, to gain insights from 18 to 39-year-old renters across the country.