Roxburgh Park Rental Vacancy Plummets to 0.9 Percent, Sparking Fierce Competition

Roxburgh Park recorded a 0.9 percent rental vacancy rate in June, the lowest figure since March 2024 and down from 2.4 percent a year earlier, according to data compiled by the Roxburgh Park Housing Authority.

The drop coincides with steady job growth at the nearby Somerton industrial precinct and new arrivals tied to expanded shifts at the Roxburgh Park distribution hub, leaving fewer units on the market just as lease renewals cluster in the third quarter.

Local pressure points

Prospective tenants report lining up outside properties on Roxburgh Boulevard before dawn and submitting applications within hours of listings appearing on agency portals. At the Parkside Estates complex near Evans Street, property managers say they now receive an average of 28 applications per two-bedroom unit, up from 11 last summer. The Roxburgh Park Community Centre on Somerton Road has added extra evening sessions for its rental readiness workshops to meet demand from first-time seekers.

Buyers face a different squeeze. Median unit prices reached $612,000 in the second quarter, according to the same authority report, while entry-level mortgages require a 15 percent deposit plus stamp duty that pushes monthly outlays above many current rents. This gap keeps households renting longer even as stock tightens.

Numbers behind the squeeze

Citywide listings stood at 187 active rentals on 1 July, compared with 312 on the same date in 2025. Average asking rent for a two-bedroom unit climbed to $1,875, a 9 percent increase over twelve months. The Roxburgh Park Tenants Union documented 142 calls in the first week of July from households unable to secure inspections, the highest weekly total recorded by the organisation.

Agents advise applicants to prepare complete documentation packs in advance, including three months of bank statements and references from prior landlords, and to attend open homes early in the week when competition is marginally lighter. Households considering a purchase are urged to contact the City of Roxburgh mortgage advisory service before rates move again in August.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.