PHOTO: Sakara Bell. MINDING HER BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Sydney Rental Crisis: Aussie Woman Shocked by Fierce Competition
A single image sums up Sydney’s brutal rental market—dozens of hopeful tenants lining up to inspect a one-bedroom apartment.
Sakara Bell, 30, knows this struggle all too well. After spending four years in the UK, she and her partner returned to Australia in January, only to face the harsh reality of Sydney’s skyrocketing rental prices and intense competition.
Their initial budget of $800 per week has already stretched to $900, but finding a home remains a challenge.
@sakara__bell Day 2 of trying to find somewhere to live during a rental crisis in Sydney. 😭 #sydneyrentalcrisis #sydney #rentals #rentalcrisis #australia #darlinghurst
Overwhelming Demand, Limited Supply
“Most viewings have around 30 people, which is really overwhelming,” Ms. Bell told news.com.au.
Sydney’s median rental price has surged to $775 per week, making it Australia’s most expensive city. For comparison, Canberra sits at $680, Brisbane at $625, and Melbourne at $580. With a national rental vacancy rate of just 1.4% as of December, demand is far outstripping supply.
She’s been left shocked by how many people turn up at inspections. Picture: Instagram/sakara__bell
Struggles Beyond the Price Tag
Ms. Bell and her partner face additional hurdles. She is still job-hunting, while her partner recently started a new job—making it difficult to provide the required three months’ worth of pay slips and rental history.
“Since we owned our home in the UK, we haven’t had a rental history in the past five years, which makes applications really tough,” she explained.
She explained that finding a place has been difficult. Picture: Instagram/sakara__bell
Online Reaction: Shock and Debate
Sharing her rental search online, Ms. Bell has stunned followers with listings like a one-bedroom Darlinghurst unit priced at $720 per week—without air-conditioning.
“$720 for a one-bedroom with no air-conditioning? That’s disgusting,” one commenter raged.
While many sympathized, others dismissed claims of a rental crisis, arguing people should be more flexible with their budget or location.
Running Out of Options
With no family nearby—hers in Queensland and his in the UK—the couple has no fallback. The pressure is mounting, and they may have to resort to an Airbnb.
“We had hoped to buy a home in Sydney, but now we might have to dip into our savings just to afford renting,” she said.
Despite the stress, Ms. Bell remains hopeful for a resolution—both for herself and thousands of others caught in Sydney’s rental squeeze.
“I can’t imagine how hard this is for families. It’s really scary times for renters, and I just hope things settle down soon.”
SOURCE: NEWS.COM.AU