Catch-22 of Aussie property rentals right now
Renters, don’t worry! Your landlord may be increasing your rent to record highs, but good news: they’re also not investing in new properties because it’s too expensive, so you have nowhere cheaper to move to!
Rock, meet Hard Place. (Which you rent. Not own).
So why are Australian renters facing a catch-22?
Australian rental market in 2023
Inflation has bitten a chunk out of everyone, whether you rent or own your home. Rising interest rates have clamped down on home loan holders by hiking their mortgage repayments. Landlords have passed along these added costs to their tenants, which according to CoreLogic, drove a record-breaking 10% spike in rents through 2022.
But while rate hikes may drag down inflation and property price growth, they also undercut the housing supply for renters because fewer people can afford to invest or build. (Construction costs have also skyrocketed because of inflation).
Altogether, this creates a catch-22 for Australian renters, according to Master Builders of Australia chief executive, Denita Wawn. They can struggle to afford their current rent, or try their chances in an expensive rental market with record-low vacancy rates.
RELATED: Average rent in Australia
Warn says we simply don’t have enough homes to meet current demand, and it’s hurting everyone.
“If we’re going to achieve economic growth in this country, we need to house people. Not only people in Australia now but those who we want to come to Australia to meet all of our current labour shortages. At the moment we can’t house them. We can’t even house the people that are here. So we’ve really got to resolve this housing crisis.”
According to the ABS, 31% of the Australian population rents their home .
Struggling to pay rent on your home? Here are some solutions
While we can always hope and pray for rental reform (which is good for homeowners, too), practical problems deserve practical solutions. So if you’re struggling at the moment, here are some first steps you can take to save money on rent.
- Improve your income by taking freelance gigs or negotiating for a pay rise.
- Let your landlord/agent know you’re experiencing financial hardship, or ask for a rent reduction.
- Rethink your budget, perhaps with the help of a budgeting app.
- Cut back on spending. You can start with these 10 ways to handle the cost of living.
- Reach out to your bank – it will usually have amazing savings tools to help you get back on your feet.
Subscribe to Moneyzone for weekly news and insights. Weighing up the pros and cons of renting vs. home buying? Compare home loans with our comparison hub.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo
Promoted
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (5.93% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.94% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.08% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.09% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
- Interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.90% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- Rate discounted by by 0.01% every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30%
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.19% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (6.11% p.a.*)
3 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.21% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.09% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes - partial only
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (5.93% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.94% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.08% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.09% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.19% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (6.11% p.a.*)
3 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.21% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.09% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes - partial only
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
Get repayment certainty with HSBC’s low 2 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan. Make up to $10,000 of extra repayments a year. The option to split your home loan between fixed and variable. Plus, score $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan of $250,000. Must apply by 28 February 2023 and settle by 30 April 2023.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.79% p.a. (6.47% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.40% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.35% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.31% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.59% p.a. (6.27% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.14% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$390.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
Home Loan Package
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $7,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
5.74
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.81
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,915
Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 6.14% p.a. (7.13% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.94% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.74% p.a. (6.81% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.75% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.99% p.a. (6.69% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
7.24% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$160.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $20,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
- no
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- No monthly fee after end of fixed rate term. Lock your fixed rate for 90 days for a fee of $750 per $1m in lending (or part thereof).
- Special offers
- $3,000 cashback for eligible First Home Buyers borrowing $250k+, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, <80% LVR, settle within 180 days for first home buyers, 120 days for refinances. Excludes refinances from ANZ, ANZ Plus and Suncorp.
Read reviews and learn more about ANZ home loans
-
Variable Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,991
Competitive variable rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.98% p.a. (6.02% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
- Interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.90% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- Rate discounted by by 0.01% every year up to a maximum discount of 0.30%
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Discounted Home Value Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Receive $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan. Minimum loan amount of $250,000, settle within 120 days from applying.
- Interest rate
-
5.99% p.a. (5.99% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $15,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- Interest only payment option is for a maximum of 5 years.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <90%
- Interest rate
-
6.09
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.22
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,027
Get online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.
- Interest rate
-
6.09% p.a. (6.22% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site -
Mortgage Simplifier
- LVR<80%
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,043
Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.
- Interest rate
-
6.14% p.a. (6.17% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$250.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $1.00
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- Everyday round up available, a feature that automatically rounds purchases made on INGs Orange Everyday transaction account to the nearest $1 or $5 and transfers the difference against your loan balance.
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about ING home loans
-
Elevate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,056
Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.
- Interest rate
-
6.18% p.a. (6.18% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$498
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- Optional extra - $10 per month
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Aussie home loans
Your selected home loans
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.