‘Losing hope’: Why renting in Sydney is getting so much harder – for everyone

Key points

• Renters in Sydney are facing a tough market, with desirable properties leased within minutes of being listed. Domain's September quarter Rent Report shows vacancy rates have eased slightly to 1.2 per cent, the highest since September 2021, but the market remains very tight.
• Sydney rents overall are still at record highs, with 441 suburbs recording increases. Abbotsford recorded the largest rise in house rents, up 47.2 per cent in the year to September.
• Economists expect rents to keep rising as fewer investors remain in the market and interest rate rises add pressure.