Unit rents continue to fall across Melbourne and Sydney

Unit rents in Sydney and Melbourne continue to fall reflecting continued high vacancy rates notably in inner city and CBD markets, according to Archistar's Chief Economist Andrew Wilson.
Unit rents continue to fall across Melbourne and Sydney
Urban Editorial December 14, 2020

Unit rents in Sydney and Melbourne continue to fall reflecting continued high vacancy rates notably in inner city and CBD markets that are under pressure from sharply reduced demand and surging supply particularly from previous holiday accommodation now converting to the permanent market. Conversely house rents are on the rise Indicating perhaps Increased demand for larger, outer suburban homes.

Sydney average asking rents for units fell by 2.3% over November but rents for houses Increased sharply by 2.5%. Perth rents continue to rise for both houses and units. Capital city rental markets continue to report diverging results with significantly lower and falling vacancy rates for houses offset by higher rates for units. This reflects sharply falling demand and increased supply of units - particularly in inner-city Sydney and CBD Melbourne.

HOUSE AND UNIT RENTAL VACANCY RATES

Reflecting rent declines In the unit market, vacancy rates continue to Increase In Melbourne and Sydney - remaining at record levels. Vacancy rates for houses are significantly lower in all capitals by comparison with units and likely to continue to place upward pressure on rents.

HOME LOANS

ABS home lending data reported another Increase over October with owner-occupier loans continuing at unprecedented levels. Total residential lending increased by 1.1% over October and has risen by 16.8% over the first 10 months of this year compared to the same period In 2019. All buyer types reported increases over October however, remarkably, lending for first home buyers now exceeds that reported for Investors. All states, with the exception of Victoria reported Increases In the total value of housing loans approved over October. Similarly, only Victoria failed to record an Increases In first home buyer lending over October, falling by 5.9%.

Although lending for first home buyers has surged this year driven by numerous state and federal government Incentive policies, levels remain well below those recorded during the post GFC revival period In 2009-10. Lending for new home building continues to be a significant contributor to the recent surge In home lending reflecting In particular the Impact of the recently extended federal government HomeBuilder policy.  Victoria continues to clearly record the highest number of loans for home building followed by QLD and WA.

HOME BUILDING

The surge In lending for home building Is also been reflected In rising house building activity over recent months. Latest ABS building approvals for October were however lower in Sydney and Melbourne over the month but significantly higher In Brisbane and sharply higher In Perth.  Despite recent rises In home building approvals, underling levels, particularly for units, remain well below previous peak levels.

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