Report exposes WA’s runaway rents, sparking renewed calls for rent caps

Western Australian renters are paying an extra $20,000 per year in rent compared to four years ago according to a new report, prompting renewed calls for rent caps to stabilise out-of-control rent rises.

The report released by the WA Make Renting Fair Alliance looked at rent increases across the state’s 59 lower house electorates since 2021 and found:

• WA’s median weekly rent has more than doubled to $716, up from $339 in 2021

• The average household is paying $377 extra per week, or $19,622 more each year

• WA has gone from most electorates having median rents around $400 per week to none for houses and just 17% for apartments.

More than half of the top 20 areas recording the steepest rent increases by percentage are located in regional WA.

Top 20 areas by % increase

The top 20 areas with the highest increases in median weekly rent by percentage between 2021-2025.

Top 20 areas by $ increase

The top 20 areas with the highest increases in median weekly rent by dollar figure 2021-2025.

Make Renting Fair WA spokesperson Alice Pennycott said: “Rent increases in WA have been relentless over the past five years, and there are no signs of the pressure easing. This data shows a system that is failing renters, pushing more and more people into poverty and homelessness.

“Suburbs that were previously considered ‘affordable’ have basically disappeared. Low- and medium-income renters aren’t just priced out of certain suburbs anymore, they’re priced out of the entire state.

“This isn’t a problem the state government can build its way out of – supply is important, but WA renters need protection now, not in 10 years’ time.”

Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell said: “Uncontrolled rent increases are hitting Western Australians hard. Rising rents are driving renters into debt, housing stress, overcrowding, and homelessness. 

“Many renters are making difficult trade-offs, skimping on essentials to pay rent, or uprooting their lives by moving back with family or leaving their communities because they are priced out. Some people are having to go without medications, or basic food for all their family, in order to pay rent. We should not be seeing this in a state like WA.”

Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson said: “Teachers, nurses and childcare workers can’t afford to rent in the communities they serve, and the affordable suburbs that working families relied on have disappeared.

“We need to look after renters. More and more people are renting, more of them in the private market, and we must ensure they're protected.”

WACOSS CEO Louise Giolitto said: “These figures are a clear warning that we need to take urgent action to support vulnerable renters and ensure they have a safe home. 

“The WA Government showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic it was willing to try new solutions, like the moratorium on rent increases during 2020 and 2021 to help tenants. We think now's the time to try rent stabilisation measures and ensure housing remains affordable amid rising cost of living pressures.”

Recommendations:

1. Introduce a rent stabilisation mechanism (eg - cap rent increases to CPI or at a prescribed formula)

2. Increase the length of notice periods for rent increases

3. Reverse the onus so landlords are required to prove why higher rent increases are justified, rather than tenants having to prove they are excessive

4. End ‘no grounds’ evictions so a tenant can’t be forced to move just so their landlord can raise the rent for the next tenant

5. Extend the WA Rent Relief Program until these measures can be enacted.

Sofie 0403 920 301

Lauren 0422 581 506