Perth median rent price remains steady for fifth quarter in a row: REIWA

Perth’s rental market produced mixed results in the June 2018 quarter, with stable dwelling rents, subdued leasing activity, declining listings and faster leasing times, according to the latest REIWA.com.au rental report.

REIWA President Hayden Groves said the June quarter’s mixed results were not unusual given Perth’s rental market was in a transitional phase and “although the worst of the downturn appears to be behind us, it’s not uncommon to see results fluctuate as the market transitions into a recovery". 

“The change in seasons has also contributed to this quarter’s results, with the cooler weather impacting activity levels.

"We tend to see activity slow during the winter months before picking up again in spring."

median rent prices Perth’s overall median rent price remained stable in the June quarter, holding at $350 per week for a fifth consecutive quarter.

"After experiencing prolonged periods of freefalling rent prices, the stability we’ve observed over the last 12 months is a welcome change and should provide landlords with confidence,” Groves said.

Although Perth’s overall rent was stable, reiwa.com analysis shows 102 suburbs across the metro area did experience median rent price growth.

The five best performing suburbs for rent price growth in the June quarter were Attadale (up 75.8% to $580 per week), Jolimont (up 50.9% to $423 per week), Burswood (up 33.3% to $480 per week), Booragoon (up 28.4% to $475 per week) and Hamersley (up 28.4% to $430 per week).

Other top performing suburbs were Karawara, North Fremantle, Mount Nasura, Mount Claremont and Hillarys.

In terms of leasing activity 12,633 total properties were leased during the June 2018 quarter.

Leasing activity has declined 10.4% over the June quarter and is down 4.1% compared to the June 2017 quarter.

Population figures for WA shows migration into the state has declined by five%, which has likely influenced leasing activity levels in Perth.

"After 12 months of stable rent prices, lower activity levels suggest tenants are feeling confident rental prices have found a floor and therefore more inclined to stay put,” Groves said.

Despite the overall reduction in leasing activity, reiwa.com data shows there were 71 suburbs across the metro area which saw leasing activity improve.

The five suburbs which saw the biggest improvement in activity were Brookdale (up 88.9%), Ocean Reef (up 75%), Kallaroo (up 63.6%), Parmelia (up 48.3%) and Hamersley (up 46.2%).

There were 8,293 properties listed as for rent in Perth at the end of the June 2018 quarter.

Groves said this figure was 2.5% lower than the March 2018 quarter figure and 22.9% lower than the June 2017 quarter meaning rental listings in the metro area have declined significantly over the last 12 months, with far fewer properties available for rent this year compared to last.

"A key driver for this improvement is the slowdown of new dwelling commencements, with less new properties coming onto the market, existing rental stock is being soaked up faster, putting downward pressure on listing volumes,” Groves said.

The average leasing time for the last quarter was on average 46 days to find a tenant, which is two days faster than the March quarter and six days faster than this time last year.

Groves concluded that: “Although leasing activity softened during the June quarter, activity levels remain above long term averages.

"This, combined with rapidly decreasing listings means tenants are needing to act faster to secure a rental property.”