Discounted rental homes can’t get tenants

ANGLICARE rents out properties with a rent reduction of 25% in Gladstone – but even with the discount they’re finding it hard to get tenants.

ANGLICARE rents out properties with a rent reduction of 25% in Gladstone - but even with the discount they're finding it hard to get tenants.

Anglicare's Adam Klaproth said with the market the way it is in Gladstone it's tough trying to fill his 98 properties. He said the properties were under the National Affordability Rental Scheme which allows eligible tenants to rent at a 25% reduced rate, but he said people weren't snapping it up.

"We have a few vacancies in Gladstone, I don't know how many exactly but we are having trouble finding tenants," he said.

"All of our properties in Rockhampton are full but with the end of the boom in Gladstone we're coming into trouble."

He said that side of the business was run exactly like a normal real estate agency.

"It doesn't quite hit us but is more of a concern for our owners," he said.

"It's going to hit their pockets and most of them are investment properties."

One thing, however, that Mr Klaproth said was still not a problem was filling community housing.

"Our vacancy rate is never too bad for community housing," he said.

"That's something very different and fills up very quickly."

The rental scheme started in 2008 in an attempt to address a shortage of affordable rental housing.

To be eligible a person must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident and have no more than $87,125 in the bank and investments.

Income levels are tested on the total income of the household.

To see if you are eligible for the National Affordable Rental Scheme visit www.anglicarecq.org.au or call the Young St office on 4972 8220.