New figures reveal a flurry or rental properties on the market as the busiest period time of the year for renting begins

JANUARY and February are among the busiest times of the year for the rental market. These are the suburbs which have had the biggest boost in listings.

REAL ESTATE: 9 Seery Close Moree NSW 2400 $450 per week Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 Car Spaces 1 House Picture: realestate.com.au

THE start of the year is traditionally a busy time in the rental market with many tenants wanting to establish themselves in their new home before the school and work year start again.

The momentum often continues through February as older students take up new digs before the start of the university year.

According to figures from realestate.com.au, rental listings more than doubled in some suburbs in January.

Moree in New South Wales topped the list with the biggest percentage increase of listings which were up by 271 per cent compared to the same time last year.

In real number terms that meant 63 rental properties compared with 17 last year.

A house for rent in Sylvan Drive, Moore Park Beach in Queensland. The area had the biggest percentage increase in rental properties in January compared to January 2015. Picture: realestate.com.au

The suburb with the biggest increase in Queensland was Moore Park Beach, north of Bundaberg, where listings jumped 250 per cent to 56.

In Western Australia, Byford had the biggest increase of 216 per cent from 19 listings to 60, while in Victoria, Greenvale experienced a 191 per cent lift in listings from 11 to 32.

In the Northern Territory, Millner had the biggest increase of 140 per cent from 15 to 36, while in South Australia it was regional Roxby Downs with the biggest increase of 129 per cent from 85 to 195.

Byford recorded Western Australia’s biggest percentage increase in rental properties in January. Picture: realestate.com.au

Tasmania’s Claremont had a doubling of its listings from 12 to 24.

According to SQM Research nationally residential vacancies rose by 2.7 per cent during December to 81,401 vacancies.

“Year-on-year results demonstrate that national vacancies appear to be following the common seasonal trends expected at this time of year,’’ it said.