The most recent Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) statistics show that rental markets remain tight, with south-east Queensland’s Logan and Ipswich becoming strong rental hotspots for investors.

REIQ CEO, Antonia Mercorella, said that the latest Residential Rental Survey, conducted at the end of September, found that just four of Queensland’s 16 major regions recorded significant changes in vacancy rates.

She noted that this is evidence of a two-tier residential rental market across the state.

“Logan and Ipswich are emerging as the south-east’s rental hotspots as tenants move further afield from inner-Brisbane in search of more affordable rents,” Mercorella said.

“For the rent you’d pay for a three-bedroom house in Brisbane, you can get a four bedroom house in Brisbane’s outlying areas for up to $65 less a week.”

She noted that, for this reason, Logan and Ipswich are now very tight rental markets with the lowest vacancy rates in the Greater Brisbane region.

By the close of September, Brisbane City LGA recorded a 2.3% vacancy rate, relatively stable since the end of June.

“Brisbane’s middle to outer suburbs – those 5-to-20 kilometres from the CBD - recorded a slight easing in vacancy levels, up 0.2% to 2% at the end of September,” she said.

“The city’s inner suburbs, on the other hand, recorded a vacancy level of 2.9%, down from 3.4% at the end of June.”

The Residential Tenancy Authority’s records of median weekly rents for the September quarter also noted relatively steady rents across the LGA, with greater Brisbane returning to a vacancy rate seen 12 months ago – 1.7%.

“Vacancy levels in the Moreton Bay and Redland City council areas remained relatively steady over the three months to September, with both recording 1.8%,” she said.

“While not quite as tight as Logan and Ipswich, strong investor activity and tenant demand are setting the scene for competitive rental markets in both LGAs.”

Logan City’s vacancy rate currently sits at 1.5%, with Ipswich City at 1.6%, both down 1.4%.

SOURCE: Property Observer

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