As the April skies brighten, so does the news for tenants navigating the rental market. In a city where rent prices often trend upwards, the recent stabilisation in median rent prices comes as a breath of fresh air. According to REIWA, the median weekly dwelling rent in Perth held steady at $650 in April 2024, mirroring the figures from March. Similarly, the median house rent remained unchanged at $650 per week, and the median unit rent continued at $600 per week.
REIWA CEO Cath Hart provided insights into the current state of the market, expressing optimism about the stabilisation. She stated, “In a constant climate of rising rents, this is very welcome news.” While rentals are anticipated to climb throughout 2024, the rate of increase appears to be settling which suggests a possible easing in demand, particularly at the higher end of the market.
Despite the month-to-month stability, the year-on-year comparison reveals a robust growth in rents. Since April 2023:
- The median unit rent has surged by 20.0%
- The median dwelling rent has risen by 18.2%
- The median house rent has increased by 13.0%.
These figures underscore a significant upward trajectory from the previous year, emphasising the long-term trend of rising rental costs.
Certain suburbs in Perth have experienced notable growth in their median weekly rent prices. For example; Subiaco leads with a 7.1 percent increase to $750, followed closely by Joondalup, which saw rents rise by 6.7 percent to $600 per week.
In terms of listings, there has been a notable increase in these as well over the past few months which can be attributed to several factors. Newly built homes owned by investors from the Eastern States are beginning to enter the market, particularly in the outer suburbs where land is more readily available for development. Additionally, a large refurbishment project completed in March in Maylands added over 100 apartments to the rental pool, further contributing to the increased inventory.
As we move forward into 2024, the Perth rental market shows signs of a complex yet promising landscape. Tenants can find solace in the recent stability of rent prices, while the increase in listings may offer more options and potentially better deals. For prospective renters and investors alike, keeping a close eye on the trends and regional variations will be key to navigating this dynamic market or head in to see us!