Coronavirus outbreak: Melbourne rentals sit empty as students wait in China

PHOTO: Sales in Box Hill have slowed, according to NAB’s group chief economist. Photo: iStock

Melbourne’s rental market is feeling the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, as student apartments sit empty while their potential tenants wait in China for Australia to lift its travel restrictions.

There are fears that if Chinese students don’t arrive soon, the apartments may stay empty for the rest of the year.

Belle Property Carlton director Scott McElroy said there were between 20 and 30 properties on their books that had been rented to Chinese students before the coronavirus outbreak, still waiting for them to arrive.

“There’s some conflicting stories about what’s going on in China,” Mr McElroy said. “If they [students] don’t come out in the next couple of weeks, they might not come at all this year.”

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