Friday 16 September 2022 07:20 AM Australians struggling to pay for bills, food with almost half enduring a rent ... trends now Australia's out-of-control rental crisis is seeing everyday Australians struggling to pay bills, put food on the table and even sending people homeless. New research by analysts Compare the Market has found 49 per cent of renters in Australia had their rent increased in the past 12 months, leading many to fear how high the next rent rise will be. The average house rent in Australia's state and territory capitals jumped by 16.3 per cent to $657 a week in the past year, according to SQM Research. Aussies have posted images online showing the alarming rises in their weekly rent, including one who revealed their payments had gone up more than 25 per cent per week from $460 to $610. A Cairns woman named Amy shared a teary video to TikTok saying she was now homeless as a result of being rejected from a number of properties - laying bare the victims of Australia's broken rental market. 'People need to know what it's like in Australia right now. I'm three weeks out from being homeless, not because we can't afford to pay rent but because there's simply nothing available,' she said through tears. Aussies have posted images online showing the alarming rises in their weekly rent, including one who revealed their payments had gone up more than 25 per cent per week from $460 to $610 Some suburbs in major cities, including Sydney's inner-west, have seen increases of 35 per cent per week. A family living in a flat in Zetland has seen their rent hiked from $850 a week two years ago to $1,100 this year. They had complained about mould issues in the apartment that were never taken care of, before having to move out because of the 'outrageous' increases, according to the Daily Telegraph. Another woman and her partner secured a two-bedroom place nearby for $640 just last year but were informed by their agent it would be increasing to $850 this year. Amy from Cairns pointed the finger for the situation she and many others find themselves in at the greed of real estate agents and landlords. 'I want to know do real estate agents and landlords, do you guys have any heart? Do you have any soul whatsoever?' she asked tearfully. 'Because right now you are kicking people out of their homes. You are kicking people out of their home towns and making them homeless because all you want is more money. That's all it is.' Amy from Cairns pointed the finger for the situation she and many others find themselves in at the greed of real estate agents and landlords The national vacancy rate for rental properties is just 1.1 per cent of all properties. In regional areas, the vacancy rate is below 1 per cent. Pictured is a house for lease in Melbourne She said the dire situation was forcing her to move from Cairns 2,000km away to the Queensland capital. 'I have to move 2,000km away to couch surf with family in Brisbane because of your heartlessness,' Amy added. According to Compare the Market, about 41 per cent of all renters said it affected their ability to save, including for a deposit to buy a property of their own. Rental increases deemed 'excessive' are different in each location, but generally, rental bodies deem increases to be excessive if they are too different from similar market rents, if there's a sizeable difference compared to the current rent, or if the property has outstanding repairs needed. The national vacancy rate for rental properties is just 1.1 per cent of all properties. In regional areas, the vacancy rate is below 1 per cent. Compare the Market's Chris Ford said it is a very tough market for struggling renters. 'Right now, there simply aren't enough rentals available,' he said. 'Too much demand and not enough supply are among several factors that are pushing prices up, which means low-income renters are the ones who'll struggle the most. 'An inability to save puts home ownership further out-of-reach for people who wish to break free of the rental system.' Almost half of renters in Australia had their rent increased in the past 12 months (stock photo) Mr Ford said rising costs were a major stress for bill payers struggling to make ends meet. 'One-in-five Australians feel stressed about money every day, and as many as 65 per cent of renters admitted they would struggle to afford their next rental increase,' he said. 'Moving to a cheaper property is one possible solution, however, while the market remains tight, good deals are hard to find and landlords are less likely to negotiate.' House rent rises in Australia's capital cities during the past year SYDNEY: Up 21.3 per cent to $814.30 a week MELBOURNE: Up 9.5 per cent to $558.80 a week BRISBANE: Up 21.8 per cent to $607.60 a week PERTH: Up 12.4 per cent to $582.20 a week ADELAIDE: Up 19.1 per cent to $524.20 a week CANBERRA: Up 8.3 per cent to $771.40 a week DARWIN: Up 7.9 per cent to $663.60 a week HOBART: Up 10.4 per cent to $533.40 a week CAPITAL CITY AVERAGE: Up 16.3 per cent to $657 a week Source: SQM Research median weekly house rents data showing annual increases in the year to week ending June 4, 2022 Advertisement Mr Ford said while it's mostly people with a mortgage who will be hit the hardest by rising interest rates, tenants could be hit by landlords recouping costs by increasing their rents. 'We're still very much in a landlord's market at the moment, and we've already seen rents on the rise over the past 12 months due to increased competition in tightening markets. The average house rent in Australia's state and territory capitals jumped by 16.3 per cent to $657 a week in the past year, according to SQM Research (stock photo) 'It ultimately comes down to what tenants are prepared to pay for a roof over their head,' he said. Mr Ford said renters need to make sure they're up to date with the relevant legislation in their state or territory, as there are limits to how often and by how much their landlord can increase rent by. 'If a landlord has outlined their intention to raise your rent by more than what similar properties in your area are up by, you could successfully claim this as excessive to your relevant tribunal,' he said. State and territory breakdown on advice for renters State/territory NSW Victoria Queensland WA SA Tasmania ACT NT How often can landlords increase rent for a periodic lease? Once every 12 months for periodic leases. Once every 12 months for periodic leases. Once every 6 months. Once every 6 months. Once every 12 months. Rent cannot be increased in the first 12 months of the lease. Once every 12 months, after the tenancy agreement began or was renewed. Once every 12 months from the date of the last increase. Once every 6 months and not within the first six months of the lease. Rents can only be increased if the right to do so has been written into the tenancy agreement. By how much can landlords increase rent? Not an 'excessive' amount. Tenants can complain to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 30 days if deemed excessive. Not 'unreasonably'. Tenants can complain to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 30 days if deemed excessive. Not 'unreasonably'. Tenants can complain to Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 30 days if deemed excessive. Not an 'excessive' amount. Tenants can apply to the WA Magistrates Court if they feel the increase is excessive. Not an 'excessive' amount. Tenants can complain to the South Australian Civil & Administrative Tribunal within 30 days if deemed excessive. By a 'reasonable' amount. Tenants can complain to the Residential Tenancy Commissioner if they deem the rent increase to be excessive. In line with the 'prescribed amount' as set out in the regulation. Tenants can complain to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) if the rent increase is deemed excessive. ACAT recommends a rent increase is excessive if it is 110 per cent or more of annual CPI (inflation). Not by an 'excessive' amount. Disputes can be taken to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal. How much notice must they give you? At least 60 days (written notice). At least 60 days (written notice) At least 2 months (written notice). The notice must include the date and amount of increase. At least 60 days (written notice). At least 60 days (written notice). At least 60 days (written notice). At least eight weeks written notice. At least 30 days written notice. The notice must state the intention to increase the rent, the amount increase and the date it changes. Source: Each state/territory's Residential Tenancies Act. Rental increases deemed 'excessive' are different in each location, but generally, rental bodies deem increases to be excessive if they are too different from similar market rents, if there's a sizeable difference compared to the current rent, or if the property has outstanding repairs needed. Advertisement All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility