Suburbtrends Rental Pain index reveals South West tenants experiencing some of the highest levels in Australia

New data has revealed many South West renters are experiencing some of the highest levels of affordability and availability pressures in the country. The Suburbtrend Rental Pain Index released on Tuesdays reveals eastern parts of Busselton including Geographe and Yalyalup are in the top five worst areas for rental distress in the State, with WA ranked the worst State in the country. The data shows most of the South West is in “extreme rental pain”, based on rankings determined by average increase in rents over 12 months, vacancy rates and the percentage of income paid towards rental costs. Renters in the eastern Busselton and Augusta are paying 40 per cent of their income towards housing, while those in western parts of Busselton are paying 44 per cent of their income towards rent. The areas received a score of 99, 96 and 96 respectively, with a score of 100 indicating the most difficult locations to rent in the country. The central Bunbury, Carey Park and Withers, Eaton and Bridgetown-Boyup Brook areas all received scores of 90 or above, while the Collie, East Bunbury, Margaret River, Dardanup, Gelorup and Pemberton areas all scored in the high 80s. Manjimup was the most affordable area of the region, receiving a score of 59. Company founder Kent Lardner said the results showed rental stress was not only persisting but worsening. “With rental affordability consuming upwards of 30 per cent of household incomes and vacancy rates at critically low levels, the situation for many Australian renters is becoming untenable,” he said.