Rental Boom Continues

Renters could be paying up to $10,000 more per year to keep a roof over their heads by 2035, according to new rental market forecasts.

That’s equivalent to about $200 more per week according to SQM Research predictions.

SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher says nationally rents are likely to rise by between 2% and 4% next year across the capital cities.

SQM Research’s 2026 Boom and Bust report predicts rents in Hobart will growth the most next year with increases of between 6% and 10%, Darwin rents are tipped to rise by between 5% and 9% while Perth is tipped to be up by between 4% and 7%.

Melbourne and Adelaide rental growth forecasts are fairly subdued between 1% and 3%, and 1% and 4% respectively.

Brisbane is between 3% and 5%, while Sydney and Canberra are both between 2% and 4%.

Christopher says it’s a stark warning that tenants should seriously consider buying a home now if they can afford to.

He says continued population growth is set to drive up rents and property prices in the coming years.

Christoper says rents could increase by about $10,000 a year by 2035 across Australia’s major capitals, despite 180,000 new dwellings expected to be completed nationwide in 2026.

He says with buying out of reach for many, more Australians will rent long-term and potentially indefinitely.