Fresh off completing Pienza Neutral Bay, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-element">Central Element</a> is preparing its next move in the coveted Lower North Shore suburb.&nbsp;

Central Element (CE) has lodged plans for an eight-storey apartment building at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/54-64-barry-street-neutral-bay-nsw-2089">54–64 Barry Street</a>, a 1,659 sqm site just south of Military Road and the Neutral Bay town centre.

The $52 million development will involve the demolition of four detached homes across four lots to deliver 45 apartments, including eight affordable housing units to be managed by Bridge Housing. The mix will comprise six one-bedroom apartments, 24 two-beds, and 15 three-beds. The apartments will sit above three basement levels with 62 car parking spaces and 50 bicycle spaces.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mhn-design-union">MHN Design Union</a> (MHNDU) has returned as architect following its work on Pienza, again shaping a mid-rise form with a clear street presence. The design features a lower four-storey podium element that responds to surrounding context, with upper levels recessed to reduce perceived bulk. Communal open space is proposed both at ground level and on the rooftop, the latter including an outdoor kitchen and swimming pool.

“The building has been designed with a lower four-storey element and with building materials commensurate with the character of the area,” Beam Planning noted in its submission to the North Sydney Council.

<img alt="Barry Street, Neutral Bay Nsw 2089" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a28ab3a-b8ba-4476-81cd-e4a8bb84f3a7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Barry-Street-Neutral-Bay-1327x742.png?VersionId=hlgvxszAWXIHgHtdR5HiwIKiSli2lLZV" />

Bridge Housing will manage the affordable units for a period of 15 years, as required under the Housing SEPP’s incentive provisions.

MHNDU’s design report further highlights the site's strategic location just 250 metres from key bus stops and 1.3 kilometres from North Sydney CBD, positioning it for transit-accessible housing supply. In their planning justification, the design team emphasised the site’s compatibility with emerging local character and scale.

Central Element has a solid apartment pipeline spread all over Sydney. They recently completed&nbsp;Pienza, 37 apartments just 500 metres away from the new project, and are currently building Ethos Chatswood, Ballamac House in Coogee, and Bianca on the harbour in Drummoyne.

They have plans for future projects in Mosman, Bondi Beach, Greenwich, Lavender Bay, along with a tower on the edge of Hyde Park.

Joel Robinson

First look: Central Element unveils second Neutral Bay apartment project

Real estate investment fund Wentworth Wentworth Equities is soon to launch a "Los Angeles-inspired" residential, leisure and lifestyle precinct in Brisbane’s Hamilton riverside ahead of the predicted Olympic-led population explosion for the city.

Drawing its style inspiration and name from Los Angeles’ renowned The Grove, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hamilton-grove-19-hercules-street-hamilton-qld-4007">Hamilton Grove</a> will feature three residential towers and a vibrant street-level public precinct with curated luxury lifestyle, retail and dining offerings.

The first of the three towers, to launch in March 2026, will comprise 61 apartments, in the same building as a premium hotel.<img alt="Hamilton Grove" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d227fe61-8392-45b7-b386-9133f29a249f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-19%20at%209.10.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=HTCV35HZ4h84jQCmHwhsdIPN0ctO5d7Z" />

Wentworth Equities Executive Chairman Sameh Ibrahim said the precinct will be unique in its appeal to both residents and the wider community.

“Hamilton is already one of Brisbane’s most sought-after riverside suburbs and for good reason,” Ibrahim said.

“Where else in the world can you walk out of your front door and have everything you could possibly need at your fingertips? The city is just around the corner, the airport is only ten minutes away, you have the river and green spaces right there and premium retail and dining on your doorstep."

Wentworth Equities acquired the 7637 sqm Hercules St site in 2014, when Ibrahim said he had a "very clear vision" for the precinct, but ultimately it wasn't the right time to develop. He said Hamilton was still very much an "emerging precinct."

“Since then, Hamilton and surrounding suburbs like Ascot and Albion have significantly grown and matured into a precinct that aligns with our vision for Hamilton Grove. Brisbane as a whole has so much to offer in the way of lifestyle appeal, but as it stands it is so widespread – you go to Howard Smith Wharves for fine dining, you go to James Street for shopping, you go to West End to walk along the river – but what if you could go to Hamilton Grove for everything?

“Our vision is a precinct that brings together the best of Brisbane into one central space abundant with culture, class and culinary experience – a place that a lucky few will get to call home, but the rest of Brisbane still get to explore and experience at their leisure.”

<img alt="Hamilton Grove" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="46550990-8aeb-44d4-bb47-150cdca96529" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-01-19%20at%209.10.50%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bmCkApPKY_Bj3z02Q8vI7Kyo_caJXOnv" />

Experienced civil engineering contractor Mainland Civil has been appointed to commence early works for the project, adding Hamilton Grove to their extensive portfolio where it will join other iconic Brisbane developments including Queens Wharf, 300 George Street, Infinity Tower and 1 William Street.

Construction on Tower One is scheduled to commence in early 2026 with completion expected in late 2028.

Fast Facts 
 
• Three residential towers and a vibrant street-level public precinct with curated luxury lifestyle, retail and dining offerings. 
• Construction on Tower One is expected to commence in Quarter One 2026, with completion expected in late 2028. 
• 7,637 square metre site at 19 Hercules St, Hamilton (part of Economic Development Queensland’s 304 hectare Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area). 
• 61 waterfront residences and skyhomes in the first tower, ranging from two to five bedrooms. 
• Hamiton Grove will be officially launched in March 2026.

"LA-inspired" Hamilton Grove to launch on Brisbane riverside

There’s a quiet patch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a>, between the bustle of Glenferrie Road and the curve of the Yarra, that rarely sees change, and even more rarely, new apartments. But that’s exactly where <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pomeroy-pacific-quattro-corp">PQD</a> is planting Kooyongkoot: a deliberate, 18-residence answer to the question of what downsizers actually want.

“This is something this pocket of Hawthorn has never seen before,” says Fil Gacesa, head of sales at PQD. “<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a> will deliver just 18 large-scale apartments in the heart of Hawthorn. It is the true definition of resort-style living.”

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/59D7VxzltmM?si=1iCzRD7FRneKryfv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

That scale is central to the story. It’s what allows for two dedicated lift cores, short corridors, and a generous lightcourt that draws natural ventilation and sunlight into every residence. It’s also what makes room for the sort of amenity usually confined to high-density towers: a fully equipped wellness centre with infrared and traditional saunas, yoga and pilates studio, cold therapy shower, and treatment room. There’s a golf simulator, car and dog wash stations, and extensive storage too, not bolted on, but baked in from the start.

But more than the checklist, it’s the design intent that carries weight. “This project has been many years in the making,” says Mark Pomeroy, Director of PQD. “Not just in planning, but in listening, to what our buyers and the local community are looking for”.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355289]

That listening shows up in the materials, oak floors, natural stone, V-ZUG appliances, and in how space is handled. Penthouses feature private rooftop terraces with pools. Terraces and garden residences embrace outdoor connection. Inside, the layouts skew large and open, geared for hosting, not just housing.

Architecturally, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>’s approach is grounded. There’s no reaching for spectacle here. Instead, the building offers a sculptural calm, anchored by landscaping from Eckersley Garden Architecture.&nbsp;

“We wanted to create spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life,” said founding partner Chris Stribley elsewhere.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

That sentiment, calm, connection, echoes in the location itself. Kooyongkoot sits just a short stroll from Central Gardens, Fairview Park, and the Rivoli Cinema. Tram lines and schools are close, but the street is tucked, quiet, and leaf-lined.&nbsp;

“Residents of Kooyongkoot will be a short stroll from Fairview Park, Central Gardens, and the Glenferrie Road retail strip," Gacesa notes, "but you're also cocooned in this peaceful pocket behind extensive landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture.”

Kooyongkoot is set for completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Staff Writer

The project that said no to compromise: Inside Kooyongkoot, Hawthorn

When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;

Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.

That timeline changed when they visited <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Candela</a>, a new boutique development by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>. The project ticked all the boxes they were looking for: location, quality design, and long-term lifestyle benefits, which prompted them to bring their decision forward.

“It was the right place at the right time,” they said. “We knew immediately it ticked all the boxes, and we didn’t want to wait.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=358855]

Their decision to downsize was driven by a combination of practical needs and lifestyle considerations. Their existing home, while much loved, had become increasingly difficult to maintain. It spanned multiple levels, included extensive front and back gardens, and was starting to show the wear that comes with age.&nbsp;

They were looking for a more manageable lifestyle, one with less upkeep and more freedom. A brand-new apartment with no maintenance requirements and the ability to simply “lock up and leave” gave them peace of mind and a greater sense of control over their future.

Financially, the purchase made sense as well. The available stamp duty savings, strong price-to-value offering, and timing of the settlement suited their plans, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The apartment's design and inclusions further supported their choice.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357493]

The layout was both functional and flexible: three bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a separate laundry, and a large open-plan living area. It gave them the freedom to host a family, accommodate guests, or set up a home office. The expansive balcony and elevated views added to the appeal, providing a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

“It just had a really good flow,” Catherine noted, something they found lacking in many other apartments they’d considered, particularly in the established market.

Candela’s boutique scale was another deciding factor. With a smaller number of residences and a top-floor penthouse position, the couple felt the development offered the privacy and space they were looking for, without feeling isolated.

“We liked that it wasn’t a huge development. It felt well-balanced, modern but still with a sense of community, not overwhelming,” they said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]

Equally important was the ability to remain in Ivanhoe, a suburb they know well and have deep roots in. After 46 years in the area, proximity to local parks, shops, and familiar faces mattered just as much as the apartment itself.

“We didn’t want to give up the community we’ve known for decades. Candela allowed us to upgrade our lifestyle while staying in the place we call home.”

With a Walk Score of 90, the village location supports a convenient, connected lifestyle. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Ivanhoe</a> Station is just a eight-minute walk away, and the neighbourhood offers access to parks, cafes, restaurants, and schools along Upper Heidelberg Road, all within easy reach.

Beyond the apartment, the couple also saw value in the broader vision for Candela, one that integrates residential living with public spaces and local amenities.&nbsp;

The development introduces 58 new apartments as well as a mix of commercial and social spaces that integrate contemporary architecture with the suburb’s existing character.&nbsp;

At ground level, residents will find a charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers a stunning vantage point for residents to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, host gatherings, or enjoy barbecues with family and friends. It's not just a place to live; it's a vibrant community where every moment is an opportunity to connect and create lasting memories.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.

Project management and construction management firm Creative Vision filed the plans for the&nbsp;multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.

According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" />

The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.

The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.

The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" />

The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.

Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.

Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.

First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

Rent.com.au

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The ASX-listed Rent.com.au have successfully raised $1.5 million in their recent capital raise.
Shares were issued at 4.5c per share, 22 per cent less than their current 5.8c share price.
Lazarus Corporate Finance was the lead manager of the placement, which saw over 33 million new fully paid ordinary shares.
Rent.com.au advised the funding, raised from both existing and new investors, will help market and launch RentPay, their flagship "tenancy period" product.
Rent.com.au's chief executive Greg Bader said he is pleased with how smoothly the placement was undertaken.
"[We] look forward to updating both existing and new shareholders on progress of this next phase of the company’s growth via RentPay", Bader said.
Rent Pay allows tenants to make and track payments, view rental history and set-up reminders.
 
 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Rent.com.au complete $1.5 million capital raise

<html><body>
Property prices have fallen in most major centres, but there seems to be little relief in sight for struggling tenants as rents continue to increase, according to new data. 
Analysis by rent.com.au shows rents in February increased in all capital cities except Brisbane and Perth, but experts say that may change soon. 
The increase follows a trend of growing rental prices within the past 12 months as the nation grappled with a lack of affordable housing. 
In 2018, house prices dropped by an average of 4.8% across the nation, prompting Deutsche Bank to identify a potential Australian housing crash as one of the top 30 risks to the global economy. 
While the current rise in rents seems out of step with the downward trend in house prices, experts say it is to be expected.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/3/14/RENTS.png" alt="">
Source: Rent.com.au
Static incomes, rising interest rates for existing borrowers and population growth are offsetting lower renting costs across cities. 
“Rents and house prices can move in different directions at the same time,” University of New South Wales City Futures research fellow Chris Martin said. 
“This is because house prices have a speculative component that rents do not have. Rents more directly reflect demand for, and supply of, housing as housing. By contrast, house prices also reflect a degree of speculation – that is, housing as an asset, that someone else might pay more for later.”
For the past decade, housing prices across the major capitals have risen well above the trend in rents due to low interest rates and “rampant speculation” from investors keen to capitalise on the skyrocketing prices. 
Now, would-be buyers have lost confidence and are pulling out of the market, resulting in the price drop. 
“This also means that construction commencements have also contracted, as developers are less confident about finding buyers. If this persists, this may result in supply pressures on rents,” Martin said.
Greg Bader, the CEO of rent.com.au, says the recent increase has also been influenced by an influx of demand in the market, as students seek suitable accommodation. 
“In isolation, falling house prices don’t tend to impact rents directly. However, a market downturn can lead to an oversupply of properties, which does then flow through to an eventual drop in rental prices,” Bader said.
“But this can be a slow burn.”
While the February market snapshot shows a small lift in rental prices across the peak season, Bader stresses that renters are “yet to see the impact of a housing downturn”.
There are more than 2.1 million Australians living in rental properties, with the 2016 census showing that the nation’s cohort of renters is on the rise with almost as many Australians renting, as those that own their houses.
In November, the latest Rental Affordability Index – an indicator of rental affordability relative to household incomes – found that “renters currently spend an average of 20% of their income on housing costs, while owners with a mortgage pay 16%”.
Bader said that potential renters looking for the downturn to influence cheaper rents will have to wait a while. 
“With the number of properties available increasing in many areas, it’s likely that the market will see some softening as demand teeters off – most likely in areas where there’s some oversupply [apartments] and in outer suburbs where there’s more choice,” he said. 
The best thing that renters can do in the meantime is to narrow down locations, research lifestyle options and be prepared to compromise, he said.
“Don’t be afraid to look at neighbouring suburbs which can offer just as many lifestyle options but can come at a significant discount and save you money,” Bader said.
“Be flexible. You may need to compromise on some things, but go in with an idea of what’s most important to you, e.g. a good kitchen over parking space.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Rents continue to rise despite fall in property prices

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Rental platform Rent.com.au grew its annual revenue by 121 percent to $1.65 million over the previous financial year but made a net operating loss after tax of more than $8.5 million for the year ended June 30.
The group, which allows renters to make online rental applications, said its short-term goal was for the cashflow to break even. 
It also guided for positive revenue growth expected to be derived from renter products and third party arrangements.
It aims to achieve that by focussing on its Renter Resume online rental application system and cost cuts.
Renter Resume was launched in October 2016 and is a user-managed online profile that allows renters to automatically generate property enquiries and applications.
Agents and landlords can check the applicant’s rental history, ID verification and a tenancy database screening (via RENT’s RentCheck product).
Rent.com.au said its resume creation averaged a 500 resumes per day, totalling nearly 130,000 by June 30.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/24/RentEarnings.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/24/RentEarnings.png" alt="">
Net operating loss after tax was $8,513,631, down from $12,820,585 in the previous financial year. The loss included included a non-cash share based payments expense of $2.24 million associated with performance based convertible securities issued to advisors, shareholders and employees. 
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (and excluding non-cash share based payments) was a loss of $5.8 million, down from $7.2 million in the previous year.
Cash reserves decreased from $6,080,209 at 30 June 2016 to $3,254,380 at 30 June 2017.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Rent.com.au posts loss, but grows revenue on renter resumes

<html><body>
Rent.com.au has compiled a report based on property leasing data from the month of January.
It illustrates the shift in median rental property prices (both metro and regional), rental affordability (the median room price metric) and the luxury property measure, evaluating change in days on market for properties above $1,000/pw.
Metro Rents
The average metropolitan rent across Australia spiked up 2.38 per cent at $430/pw in January.
Canberra and Hobart metro areas were the only two states to record a decrease in median rent, while all but two of the remaining capitals saw an increase in the month.
An 8.24 per cent increase in asking median rents in Darwin was the sharpest rise across the country, contrasted by a similar decline in prices (7.89 per cent) in Hobart metro.
Darwin’s price rise to $460/pw makes the Northern Territory capital the second most expensive for house hunters.
Darwin sits just under Sydney in New South Wales, continuing its rank as the most expensive city for Australian renters; median rents stayed consistent at $550/pw in January.
Sydney’s asking rents are comparable to the country’s most affordable city in January, Adelaide ($350/pw).
Considering the rental affordability measure, price per room (PPR); Sydney also topped the ranking at $267/pw (up 2.56 per cent on December 2016).
Meanwhile Perth metro was the most affordable capital city for renters – a median price per room of $127/pw (up 1.33 per cent), putting Adelaide at a close second ($133/pw, up 1.92 per cent).
By looking at dwelling type, Sydney’s property makeup continued to skew towards apartments, comprising 69 per cent, while Perth’s property makeup in January was 75 per cent houses.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="5" valign="top" width="291">
Change in median rent and price per room as at 31 January 2017
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
LOCATIONS
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
Median rent
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
Monthly change
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
Price per room
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
Monthly change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Sydney metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$550/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$267
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.56%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Brisbane metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$420/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.44%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$167
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑4.67%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Melbourne metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$400/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.56%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$170
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑6.25%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Perth metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$360/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.86%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$127
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑1.33%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Adelaide metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$350/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.94%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$133
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑1.92%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Canberra metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$450/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↓2.17%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$197
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑3.51%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Darwin metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$460/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑8.24%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$167
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↓1.96%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Hobart metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$350/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↓7.89%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$163
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑8.33%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Regionals (combined)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$340/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
0%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="99">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
National
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$430/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.38%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regional Rents
At a regional level, Tasmania and Western Australia were the only Australian states to record a decrease in median rent from December 2016 to January, down 1.89 per cent and 3.03 per cent respectively.
Median rents increased across the regions in the Northern Territory (up 9.76 per cent), South Australia (up 2 per cent) and Queensland (up 1.52 per cent).
Rents remained healthy in Australian Capital Territory ($450/pw), New South Wales ($380/pw) and Victoria ($280/pw), with no price changes recorded, consistent with records in December last year.
SA was once again the state with the cheapest regional rentals, with a median rent for the state of $255/pw (up 2 per cent).
Looking at dwelling type, regional houses in NT experienced the highest increase in median rent overall (up 8.89 per cent to $490/pw) and TAS houses up 9.09 per cent to $210/pw.
Conversely, the cost of regional houses in ACT dropped 6.09 per cent to $463/pw. WA, however, was the only state to record a decrease in the price of apartments, down 3.57 per cent to $270/pw.
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Average metropolitan rental income sits at $430 a week for landlords

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Melbourne is one of the cheapest places in Australia to rent an apartment or house - but not an individual room, according to a new rental price metric by Rent.com.au.
The Rent.com.au median room price metric shows that Sydney has the highest rental prices per room at almost $250 a week, followed by Canberra, Darwin and Melbourne.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
City (metro area)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Median Room/wk
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Median Property/wk
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Sydney
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$248
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$520
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Canberra
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$183
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$430
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Darwin
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$175
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$470
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$163
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$380
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$150
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$400
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Hobart
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$135
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$330
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$130
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$380
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Adelaide
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$125
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
$340
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Rent.com.au CEO Greg Bader said the new price metric was a different way to look at the cost of a Rental, more accurate in a sense for people that share a home with others
“Much of the existing data about rental properties and prices is based on metrics developed for homeowners, like dwelling price. We’ve introduced the median room price metric, it goes someway to levelling the distortion around the type of property (flat, unit, house) and hope it provides another view that can be used by Australian renters,” he said.
“There are significant differences. For example, the data based on dwellings shows that it costs the same to rent per week in Perth and Melbourne. But that’s not really true. The reality is that it costs renters more than $30 extra per room in Melbourne each week.
“The difference between Adelaide and Sydney is more than $120 per room. That extra cost per room has a serious impact for families as well as people who are looking to share a home with other renters. These are the sort numbers - designed specifically for renters, not homeowners - that have so far been hidden from view.”
Mr Bader said Rent.com.au was dedicated to developing new services designed specifically for Australia’s growing number of renters.
“So much of the public discussion around real estate in Australia is focused on owning property, but there’s about 7 million people in Australia who rent their homes and we want them to be represented as well,” he said.
A recent Rent.com.au survey found that long-term security and rental affordability were two of the biggest concerns held by Australian renters, and that families were the most common kind of renters - accounting for 40 percent of tenants.
Corrabare, NSW mother of three Tabatha, 43, said she had to move further out from the city as rental prices in metro areas increased.
“I’m in a position now where I’ve got a roof over my head, but for how long?” she said.
“I’ve moved 19 times since 2006. I moved house the day my 7-year-old was born. She’s never had stability. I’ve taught my kids to respect where they live and I take care of the property, but I don’t have a chance compared to renters with no kids.”
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Rent.com.au new metric shows Melbourne as cheapest place to rent an apartment or house

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The founding managing director of Rent.com.au, Mark Woschnak, has announced his decision to leave a year after its after its float on the ASX.
Woschnak has taken the decision to step down to facilitate new leadership ahead of the company's next phase of commercialisation and growth. Plans include the launch of lease.com.au as a commercial/industrial rental portal.
“I am extremely proud of what RENT has achieved and my role in its success, from founding the business in 2007, through to successfully listing the Company on the ASX in June last year,” Mr Woschnak said.
Woschnak will step down immediately with Greg Bader, who has been providing strategic consulting services to RENT, to assume the interim CEO role while a thorough recruitment process is undertaken by the board.
<img src="/images/2016/07/26/Unknown.jpeg" alt="">
Bader has worked in the Information and Communication Technology industry for more than 20 years, most recently as a key member of iiNet’s executive team, holding the respective positions of Chief Business Officer and Chief Technology Officer. 
Rent.com.au Limited continued its rapid growth in agent and landlord registrations during June, with 651,419 unique visitors.
The Nielsen Company reported RENT jumped to the second highest time on site position within the Australian portal industry. But the website revenue has not matched sharemarket expectations despite increasing its monthly unique visitors. 
In the March quarter, it generated $223,000 in revenue with reported $1.6 million costs. 
“Following the surge in new agent and landlord registrations over recent months, we now have approximately 90% of all real estate agent rental property listings and a record number of private landlord listings,” Woschnak said.
“We’ve had 2,105 real estate agents who registered with www.rent.com.au since the start of March, including 450 in June."
It is aiming for one million renters to visit the site per month within five years, with transactions between $15 and $40 per service.
Rent.com.au is the only national web portal in Australia that focuses solely on the rental property market and includes listings from both property agents and non-agent private landlords.
Rent.com.au was established in 2007 by experienced real estate and new media entrepreneur Mark Woschnak.
It floated in June last year on the Australia Securities Exchange after a backdoor takeover of former copper, gold and nickel explorer Select Exploration.
Rent.com.au raised $5 million in new equity, at 20¢ a share. In opening morning trade it was at 21 cents, peaking late last year at 54 cents, and now trading at 14 cents.
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Rent.com.au

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