South Australia’s rent roller coaster: Data reveal the biggest rent increases, decreases across the state for the past 12 months

A low level of rental stock is driving up rental house prices across SA with only a handful of suburbs recording a drop, and you’ll be surprised to know where they are. Take a look.

Low vacancy and high rental prices are among the many challenges faced by renters in Adelaide. And latest data by realestate.com.au shows it’s not getting any easier.

Over the past 12 months, rental house prices across SA have recorded large increases with just a handful of suburbs reporting a slump.

The Port Pirie suburb of Risdon Park South has topped the charts with a whopping 35 per cent increase in median house rent.

The current median house rent here sits at $270 per week.

It is trailed by the seaside town of Port Elliot where median house rents have surged by 23.8 per cent.

Those looking to rent a home here need to budget an average of $495 a week.

Known for its coastline and lifestyle properties, Encounter Bay continues to be an expensive location for rental homes as well.

The median house rent here has increased to $500 per week, up by 19 per cent in the past 12 months.

Adelaide has a tough rental market say industry experts.

Closer to Adelaide, Fulham in the city’s west has also seen its median house rent soar by 23.1 per cent to reach $560 per week.

The suburbs of St Marys and Brooklyn Park – both with a median house rent of $480 per week – have also recorded an increase in rent, up by 22.1 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

REA director of economic research Cameron Kusher said the rental market was set to remain tight over the coming months due to reduced rental supply and rental prices would continue to increase.

“One of biggest things that we have seen is that people who owned investment properties have sold those properties, and those that have bought them haven’t put them up for rent. They are mostly still owner-occupied. So supply is low,” Mr Kusher said.

“Adelaide has a tough rental market. While the regional market might soften in terms of rental house prices, it will be tough for renters in most capital cities.

This Fulham home at 18A Crace Rd is listed for rent at $470 a week. Pic: realestate.com.au.

“Another challenge is that people who are in rentals will be reluctant to leave current homes and look at other rentals. We might also see more people migrating from Melbourne and Sydney to SA and that will put further pressure on the market.”

While house rents are on the rise across the state, there are some suburbs that have reported a slight drop in prices. So, if you are a renter looking for affordable accommodation, there’s good news.

Beachside suburbs like Glenelg East, West Beach and Henley Beach South have all recorded drop in weekly house rents.

This four-bedroom home at 23A Adelaide Tce in St Marys is listed for rent at $680 per week. Pic: realestate.com.au.

The much sought-after suburb of Glenelg East has reported a 3.6 per cent decrease in rent and the median house rent here now sits at $690 per week.

Median house rents in West Beach ($560 per week) and Henley Beach South ($690 per week) slumped by 3.4 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively.

“When the pandemic first hit, a lot of people wanted to move to beachside suburbs and there was a big demand in lifestyle markets that pushed rents high as well,” Mr Kusher said.

“Some people didn’t find it practical and are moving towards inner suburbs. So, these markets are now cooling down a bit,” he said.