As Aus-wide rent trend softens, focus on capital gains

After four years of record-breaking rental growth, investors and landlords are now moving into a period of consolidation.

Industry research CoreLogic says its latest rental data shows rents grew 0.1% in July – the smallest increase since 2020.

Over the previous 12 months, rents increased by 7.8%, which is still substantially above the rate of inflation (2.7%), providing an excellent return for landlords.

If you take this data across five years, rents have risen 40% nationally.

CoreLogic suggests a peak in net overseas migrations – a consequence of people returning to Australia after Covid – and marginally higher vacancy levels are the cause for the rent slowdown.

For investors, this latest data should not be a concern.

The number of renters shows no sign of decline. Australia still has a strong migration program. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported last month the nation had more than 27 million residents for the first time.

The rental trend is not consistent across the country. Sydney remains the most rent-stressed city but saw rents drop in July. They also fell in Hobart and Brisbane.

Canberra and Darwin were steady, and there were rental increases in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

CoreLogic's Rental Value Index recorded the smallest 12-month change in three years, with national rents up 7.8% in the year to July, down from a recent peak of 8.6% in April.

If capital growth is the key to your investment strategy, great opportunities still exist.

Our inflation rate is now at a three-year low and within the target range of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). So, expectations are high for interest rate cuts by early 2025.

If you're thinking of starting or expanding an investment portfolio, the likely increases in property values that we'll see when rates fall may make it tempting to make a move in the short term.

Here are some of the primary benefits of investing in property today:

• Capital Appreciation: Property values tend to increase over time, offering the potential for significant long-term gains when you sell.
• Rental Income: Rental properties generate a steady stream of passive income, providing financial stability and cash flow.
• Tax Advantages: Investors can benefit from tax deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, depreciation, and other expenses. Always consult a financial advisor to leverage the available benefits.
• Cash Access: You can use borrowed money (mortgage) to purchase property, allowing you to control a large asset with a comparatively small investment.
• Inflation Hedge: Real estate values usually outpace inflation and, therefore, will protect your wealth from being eroded by price rises.

Rob Woolmer 

Head of Property Management

CONTESSI PROPERTIES