Melbourne leads the fall in February residential vacancies: SQM Research

Melbourne leads the fall in February residential vacancies: SQM Research
Prateek ChatterjeeDecember 7, 2020

The number of residential vacancies nationally fell during February, recording a vacancy rate of 2.3 percent, and 70,161 vacancies, latest figures from SQM Research show. 

Year-on-year results demonstrate that national vacancies appear to be slightly above the common seasonal trends expected at this time of year.

Melbourne had the largest monthly fall, with vacancies falling 0.5 percentage points in February. Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney and Darwin also experienced monthly falls, with percentage points down 0.2 percent.

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Despite this, both Darwin and Perth continue to record an alarming number of vacancies, compared with this time last year (February 2015).

February results for Hobart reveal the tightest rental market recording a vacancy rate of just 0.9% based on just 239 vacancies, the data shows.

Asking rents

Perth has recorded ongoing falls in asking rents of 10.5% for houses and 9.1% for units over the past 12 months. Darwin also saw yearly falls, with asking rents down 10.3% for houses and 11.2% for units. Hobart continues to record the most affordable rental accommodation with rents for houses at just $337 a week, while units on average rent for $286 a week.

“Overall, there was a noticeable fall in vacancies for the month driven by Melbourne and Sydney. However, year on year vacancies are still edging up for the country and we think this will still be the trend going forward. The cities and townships most exposed to the commodities downturn are causing this yearly rise. On the flip side Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra are all recording downward trends in vacancies now and this is resulting in upward pressure in rents for these three cities,” said Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research.

The calculations of vacancies are based on online rental listings that have been advertised for three weeks or more compared to the total number of established rental properties. 

Key Points

* Nationally, vacancies fell during February 2016, recording a vacancy rate of 2.3%, based on 70,161 vacancies.

* Perth recorded the highest vacancy rate in February 2016 of 3.9% based on 7,819 vacancies.

* Vacancy rates in Sydney have fallen 0.1 percentage points over the last year.

* Year-on-year, vacancy rates dropped in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart.

* Hobart recorded the lowest vacancy rate during February 2016, with a rate of 0.9% based on 239 vacancies.

* Over the past 12 months, Perth asking rents have also experienced excessive yearly falls with houses down 10.5% and a 9.1% fall for units.

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