THE number of properties available for rent in Brisbane is shrinking, but it still has the second highest residential vacancy rate of any capital city in the nation.
Data released by SQM Research reveals the Queensland capital’s vacancy rate slipped to 3.2 per cent in March, with 10,246 properties available for rent — down from 3.4 per cent in February.
But the Brisbane rental market is not nearly as tight as some other capital cities, with Hobart and Canberra both sitting on a vacancy rate of just 0.6 per cent.
Only Darwin has a higher vacancy rate at 3.6 per cent.
SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher said asking rents were also rising in some capitals, particularly in Melbourne.
“Reflecting the tight rental conditions in Melbourne, asking rents for houses were up by 1.1 per cent over the month to 12 April 2018, while asking rents rose 4.7 per cent over the year,” Mr Christopher said.
“We can expect continued strong growth given the high population growth that Melbourne is currently experiencing, creating rental demand.”
But in Sydney, the vacancy rate is higher than it was a year ago and asking rents are falling as a result.
Capital city asking rents rose by half a per cent nationally last month to $563 a week for houses.
Unit asking rents rose 0.2 per cent to $443 a week.
The asking rent for a three-bedroom house in Brisbane remains at $447 a week, while for units it stands at $366 — the same as a month ago.