Renters Face Lease Endings in Tight Supply: Steps to Take in Roxburgh Park

More than 180 rental agreements in Roxburgh Park will conclude between now and 31 August, leaving tenants to secure new homes in a market where only 42 properties sit listed for lease across the suburb.

The squeeze follows a sharp drop in new rental stock after several investor sales in the first half of the year converted units into owner-occupied homes. Local agents report that properties on Somerton Road and Bridgewater Road now attract multiple applications within 48 hours of listing, pushing weekly rents for two-bedroom units to an average $520.

Local market pressure points

Residents near the Roxburgh Park Shopping Centre on Somerton Road and those using services at the Roxburgh Park Community Centre have seen the tightest conditions. The centre hosted a housing information session last week attended by 65 tenants, many of whom learned that the suburb’s vacancy rate sits at 1.2 percent, the lowest figure recorded since March 2024.

Property managers at the centre confirmed that renewal offers now include smaller rent rises than six months ago, yet still average an extra $25 per week. Tenants on fixed incomes say even these modest increases strain budgets already stretched by higher grocery and transport costs.

Practical moves for lease-end tenants

Tenants whose leases end soon are first contacting landlords directly to request six-month extensions before searching elsewhere. Those who secure extensions avoid the cost of moving, which agents estimate at $1,800 including bond top-ups and removalist fees.

Others are forming small share households through the noticeboard at Roxburgh Park Library, splitting two-bedroom units to keep individual costs below $280 per week. A smaller group has begun comparing purchase prices on three-bedroom homes listed at $685,000, noting that monthly mortgage repayments at current rates sit roughly $80 above equivalent rents once deposits are considered.

Agents advise checking listings twice daily on local portals and preparing documents in advance so applications can be lodged within hours of new properties appearing. Tenants who act early this month stand the best chance of staying in the suburb without major disruption.

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.