‘Extreme choices’: Australians make huge sacrifices to pay the rent

Sydney rents have risen by an eye-watering $3770 in the last year, with Australians being forced to choose between shelter and food.

Everybody’s Home research using SQM Research data found that Sydney house renters were on average paying an extra $72.50 per week compared with last year.

This adds up to an additional $3770 per year, while those living in an apartment are paying an additional $2109 in rent.

Everybody’s Home spokeswoman Maiy Azize said Australians were being forced to make massive sacrifices just to pay their rent.

“Our latest survey shows people are skipping meals and medical care, cutting back on driving and cooling their homes in summer, falling into debt and relying on charities to cover the rent,” she said.

Ms Azize said what were considered extreme choices prior to the Covid pandemic had become the new norm for many Australians.

While Sydneysiders face the most brutal increase in rental costs, just about every capital city is following suit.

Brisbane housing rents are up $54.59 per week or $2838.68 per year, while Perth residents are paying an extra $50.75 to rent a detached dwelling.

There were more moderate increases for those living in a house in Melbourne and Adelaide, where rents are up a little more than $1000 over the year.

Canberra was the only capital to buck this trend, with rents rising by just $0.79 for a house this Christmas compared with last year.

Prices in Australia’s capital have slowed as the ACT government imposed strict conditions on rent increases, only allowing them to happen once a year and at a maximum of 10 per cent above inflation.

The tenant also must be given eight weeks notice prior to any rental increase.

Combined, capital city renters are now paying $49.36 per week more rent for a house or $2566.72 per year.

Apartment dwellers are paying $35.05 more a week in rent or $1822.60 more a year.

Ms Azize has called on the government to do more, as the majority of renters face huge increases.

“In the new year, we need the federal government to step up its ambition to end this housing crisis for good,” she said.

“The federal government urgently needs to build more social housing, scrap investor tax breaks, improve protections for renters and raise Centrelink payments so that renting becomes a fairer and affordable housing choice in our wealthy country.”