09/10/2026
The rental shortage hasn’t disappeared. So why are some properties harder to lease?
Brisbane's rental market is still incredibly tight.
In fact, current asking rents tell quite a story — Brisbane house rents are sitting around 9% higher than this time last year.
So when a rental property doesn't receive a flood of applications immediately, it's easy to wonder:
Where have all the tenants gone?
They're still there.
But after several years of significant rent increases, tenants are becoming much more selective about where they spend their money.
They're comparing properties.
They're looking at presentation.
Air-conditioning, storage, security, outdoor space and overall condition matter.
And they're asking themselves whether one property at $750 genuinely represents better value than another at $720.
That's an important distinction for landlords.
A tight vacancy rate doesn't mean every property will lease immediately at whatever price we put on it.
The market still determines value — and sometimes the first sign that we've missed it isn't a tenant telling us the rent is too high.
It's silence.
No enquiries.
Low inspection numbers.
No applications.
Sam's Insight:
The tenants haven't disappeared. They've simply become more careful about which properties they choose.
Our job is to recognise what the market is telling us early and position your property so it competes for the best tenant, not simply the highest advertised rent.
