In this week’s Property Management edition of Wealth Coffee Chats, Kat is back with a market update every landlord should be paying attention to.
The big message? Rents are still rising in 2026 — and vacancy rates remain critically tight.
Drawing on recent data and commentary from property economist Dr Andrew Wilson, this episode unpacks what’s actually happening across Australia’s capital cities, where rental growth is strongest, and why supply shortages continue to push competition higher.
From Perth’s strong performance to Brisbane’s steady growth and Melbourne’s affordability edge, we break down what the numbers mean — and more importantly, what they mean for your portfolio.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why vacancy rates under 1.5% signal continued rental pressure
- Which capital cities are leading rental growth in early 2026
- Why unit rents are outperforming houses in many markets
- How affordability ceilings are shifting tenant demand
- What low supply and tight competition really mean for landlords
- Why tenants are choosing to “stay put” in uncertain conditions
- How interest rates and holding costs flow through to rents
- The hidden cost of missing your annual rent review
Kat also shares a real-world example of a Brisbane property outperforming expectations — highlighting how strong demand can drive premium results when you test the market correctly.
The key takeaway?
If you’re not actively reviewing your rent, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table. In many states, if you miss your review window, you may have to wait another 12 months to adjust — and that opportunity cost adds up quickly.
2026 is shaping up to be another landlord-favourable year in many markets. The question is: are you positioned to maximise it?
If you’re unsure about your rental position, reach out to your team, get the data in front of you, and make informed decisions — because every dollar counts.
