EFFIE BATEMAN | Lifestyle | CONTACT
A millennial who long ago gave up hopes of ever owning a property has now had to contend with something she never thought she’d experience in her lifetime– a rental crisis.
Jessie Bates [32] admits that although she thought it could be a problem for future generations, she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.
Stating that she had plans to renew her lease, Jessie was alarmed to discover that the skyrocketing house prices had prompted her landlord to sell up – leaving her with just one month to find a new place.
“I never had trouble finding a place before”, says Jessie.
“I’m a single girl with a good income and a strong history of being a long-term renter, I thought it’d be a breeze.”
“I’ve applied for thirty properties, and nothing’s happened, I don’t know what to do.”
The Gold Coast local blames the sudden influx of people fleeing from Sydney and Melbourne for her struggles, which has even the shittest properties netting a premium rent.
Places like Noosa have reported rental prices soaring by up to 50%, whilst vacancy rates plummet below 1%, – leaving struggling residents with no choice but to leave their friends and family.
This pandemic panic has shown no signs of slowing down, nor is it contained to popular cities, as people scramble to relocate to more affordable, regional areas.
The domino-like effect on property prices has caused many to demand more regulation, urging the government to place price caps to curb excessive rental inflation.
Jessie tells our reporter that she’s even tried to find a place on the outskirts of the city but that every property is pretty much a revolving door of desperate people, all clamouring for the same spot.
“Everything is getting snapped up. My mum even reckons Toowoomba rentals are almost at capacity.”
“Fucking TOOWOOMBA.”
Adding that she can’t compete with the influx of heavy cash tourists sure to flock to the Airbnb’s come Christmas time, Jessie says she has no choice but to move back home with her parents.
“Look, it’s pretty bad, but I really feel for all the young families this is affecting. At least I have a place to stay,” says Jessie.
“Maybe this means all those vacant inner-city apartments we tore all the historical buildings down for might finally get filled up.”
“Fucking doubt it.”
More to come.
