With spring in full swing, this is traditionally the busiest time of year for anyone hunting for a rental or looking to switch properties. And it’s not just your imagination - vacancy rates have tightened noticeably over the past 12 months, making it even harder to lock in a lease.

A new report from Cotality shows vacancy rates tightening sharply across the country. In Sydney, the rate has plummeted from 2.4% to just 1.7% over the past year. Brisbane and Adelaide are down to a wafer-thin 0.9%, and in Perth, the surge in FIFO workers driving WA’s $150 billion resources sector[i] has pushed vacancies to an extraordinary 0.4%. (See the table below for vacancy rates in your area.) So, what can you do to get ahead in such a fiercely competitive market?

1. Persistence and presentation will pay off

In a tight rental market, there’s no escaping the need to wear out some shoe leather and inspect as many properties as possible.

And when you arrive at an inspection, treat it like a job interview. That means dressing neatly (ditch the boardies and thongs), arriving on time, and presenting yourself as someone a landlord would trust.

2. Get organised

Organising the required paperwork and bringing it to the inspection shows you’re organised, reliable, and serious about securing the property. Depending on which state you are in, and the legal framework around how rental application data is submitted, the exact requirements may differ — but generally you should have the following documents ready:

• Proof of identity(such as a driver’s licence or passport)
• Evidence of income(recent payslips, bank statements, or Centrelink documentation)
• Rental history and references from previous landlords, agents, employers, or even a family GP

The easier you make it for the property manager to say “yes,” the better your chances. Having your paperwork prepared and ready to hand over at the open home will give you a strong head start

3. Don’t be afraid to bring backup

If you’re renting for the first time, bringing mum and dad along to inspections or having them act as guarantors can really work in your favour. It might feel a bit uncool, but it shows you’re responsible — and more importantly, it gives landlords confidence that there’s solid financial support behind you.

4. House-sharing?

If you’re renting with mates or family members, make sure everyone is ready to be listed on the lease, and be upfront with the property manager that it’s a shared rental. It might be helpful to nominate a “head tenant” to handle the application.

At the end of the day, getting into suitable rental digs all comes down to the renter’s three Ps - persistence, preparation and presentation. Bringing each of these in equal dollops will give you the rental market edge this spring. The competition is tough, but with the right approach, you can absolutely beat the rental squeeze.

Table 1: Vacancy rates  

Source: Cotality, Property Market Indicator Summary, All data to week ending 14 September 2025

Your local Raine & Horne Property Manager is here to help with any questions you have about renting for the first time. You can also explore our handy Renting tips and  Tenant FAQs for more insights and advice.

[i] https://www.australianmining.com.au/wa-resources-sector-injects-150-billion-into-economy/