What Renters Really Really Want: Pets, Parking and the Right Postcode

Australian renters are becoming more deliberate about how and where they live, prioritising price and location, essential amenities and long-term liveability, new CBRE proprietary research shows.

The What Renters Really, Really Want report draws on insights from CBRE’s national apartment renter survey, corroborated by rental search data from REA Group’s realestate.com.au and flatmates.com.au platforms, to better understand renter demographics and what drives choices.

The report found around 1.6 million Australians now rent apartments or flats, with the renter profile continuing to broaden. Nearly 300,000 apartment renters are aged 35–44.

Household composition is varied. A total of 51% of rentals are single income, including lone occupants or sole parents. Another 35% are couples or flatmates, and families with children make up 12% of occupants.

Renters are more financially resilient than often assumed, with 37% earning over $100,000 a year. Most renters, 68%, said they covered rent through salary alone and additional income, without support from family or partners.

Price and location remain equally important. Despite cost being a top consideration when choosing a rental, 53% of residents said they would stay in their current home if rent increased by $50 per week. 37% would leave and look for a cheaper rental.

Renters are placing greater emphasis on everyday essentials when choosing a home. Security, parking and pet friendly accommodation rank as the most important building amenities, ahead of other features such as co-working space and gyms.

CBRE’s Head of Research, Pacific, Sameer Chopra, said the findings align with what CBRE is seeing across the rental market.

“This survey reinforces what we're hearing on the ground. Beyond price and location, rental choice is anchored by core essentials like security, parking, and pet friendliness.” Mr Chopra said.

Suburb choice continues to be shaped by proximity to work, affordability, and public transport, with established inner city locations dominating search activity across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Lease preferences point to renters increasingly seeking greater stability.

“With nearly a quarter of renters planning to stay put for five or more years, households are viewing renting as a long-term solution.” Mr Chopra added.

Share housing remains affordability driven rather than a lifestyle choice, with about two-thirds preferring to live independently if financially viable.

Senior Economist REA Group, Anne Flaherty said, “Rent growth over the past decade has been significant across most markets, and renters are feeling it. Two-thirds of share house renters told us they'd prefer to live alone, but right now that's just not an option for many of them.”

Looking around Australia over the past five years, Perth rents recorded the biggest increase ($+16,000) followed by Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Canberra and Melbourne recorded the lowest rent growth.