Rental trends in the Gold Coast area

Looking for a new rental home? Our guide to the current market will help you put your best foot forward.

Beaches, cafes, bars and shopping – heaven!

Locals know how beautiful, friendly and fabulous it is to live in and around the Gold Coast. With its spectacular beaches, shopping, cafes and bars, golf courses and parks, theme parks and attractions, along with three Universities, the Gold Coast is a hive of activity and has a great relaxed, summery vibe all year round.

It’s no wonder the Gold Coast is such a popular place to live!

Tough competition for renters

• The strong mix of professionals and tradies, families and retirees, students and academics on the Gold Coast combine with the laid back and summery vibe here to create high rental demand.
• Competition for rental properties on the Gold Coast can be tough. But some areas have a much higher demand than others, so if you’re willing to be a little flexible about exactly which suburb you live in then you can be rewarded with some good value rental homes to choose from.

How hot is rental demand on the Gold Coast?

• Overall rental demand is high in family friendly suburbs like Parkwood, and in Helensvale – a well-planned, stylish suburb that is ideal for families who want all the benefits of a Gold Coast lifestyle, plus a friendly neighbourhood vibe.
• In Helensvale, rental properties can attract almost 60% more inspections than the Queensland average. If your heart is set on living in Helensvale, then put your best foot forward and be ready to act quickly if you see a property you think might be your perfect new home.
• The good news is, there’s also areas where rental demand and prices can be a little lower, and you can still find some rental bargains.
• Suburbs like Southport, Biggera Waters and Labrador have lower demand than the Queensland average, so keep your eye out for new listings in these areas, and you just might nab yourself a bargain.

Top Tip: In a high demand rental market it certainly pays to do your homework and be ready to put your best foot forward when looking for a new home.

How much rent can you expect to pay?

• Rents can vary a lot between suburbs, and between units and houses – so consider your household’s needs carefully. How many bedrooms do you need? Do you need to be near the train line or motorway, or is it more important to you to be by the beach?
• If you’re after a 2 bedroom unit, average rental prices are lowest in areas like Labrador and Coombabah.
• If it’s a 3 bedroom home you’re after there’s some good value rents in Coombabah, Labrador and Helensvale, where these homes are in strong supply.

You’ll need to ensure you put your best foot forward when looking for your new home, so do your homework. Keep a keen eye on the latest rental listings, and talk to your local Property Managers about your needs so they can let you know if the right place pops up.

Top Tip: If you notice a property has been advertised or vacant for a while, don’t be afraid to try and negotiate on the rent.

Get your application organised so you’re ready to go

Don’t wait until you find the perfect home before getting everything ready for your rental application – you could lose precious time and find someone has nabbed it before you! Prepare copies of your photo identification, any references you might have from past landlords, financial statements and recent payslips, and references for any pets you have. A big plus is a copy of the rental ledger from your current or previous home, as this clearly demonstrates your reliability as a paying tenant.

City Finance can help you with fast cash for your rental bond and moving expenses

Need help getting the cash together for your rental bond and moving expenses? Just pop in and visit our friendly staff at our Gold Coast  branch for a chat and some helpful advice.