Capital city vacancy rates tightened over January largely
reflecting the seasonal impact of lower listing numbers during the holiday
period.
The Domain national vacancy rate for houses and units
combined fell to 2.2 percent down from the 2.4 percent recorded for December.
The house vacancy rate was reported at 1.9 percent with units at 2.8 percent.
All capitals reported a fall in vacancy rates with the
exception of Perth where the rate was steady despite seasonal effects and
indicating a continuation of the recent easing in the local rental market.
Hobart, Canberra, Darwin and Adelaide all recorded low
vacancy rates for houses below 1.5 percent with Sydney also tight at 1.8
percent. Perth reported the highest house vacancy rate over January at 2.4
percent.
Vacancy rates for units were generally higher than houses
although similarly falling over January as a result of seasonal impacts on
listing numbers.
Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Darwin all reported unit
vacancy rates over 3 percent reflecting the recent surge in inner city
apartment developments in those cities. Darwin reported the highest unit
vacancy rate at 4.5 percent – the same recorded by that city over December.
Although headline vacancy rates are likely to ease as the
impact of seasonal effects on listing numbers moderates, an underlying shortage
of house rentals is set to remain in all capitals with the exception of Perth.
Lower interest rates will encourage increased activity from investors,
particularly in the strong Sydney market, but this is unlikely to impact rental
market dynamics significantly in the shorter-term. Continuing upward pressure
on house rents can be expected as a consequence.
High levels of new supply of inner city apartments in some
capitals however will continue to keep vacancy rates higher for the unit rental
market with the prospect of some relief in rent growth for tenants.
Dr Andrew Wilson is senior economist for the Domain Group
Twitter @DocAndrewWilson
