Understanding divorced tenants and buyers

Grant Mifsud, partner at Archers the Strata Professionals, said single mothers and fathers have been buying or renting apartments within strata communities for inner-city lifestyle and affordability reasons.

“Even if there are children to factor in, these people often have no choice but to move to an apartment building,” Mr Mifsud said.

“Most find it works for them financially and offers them a lifestyle choice because, unlike a home, the apartment requires little maintenance. If they are renting, they can also often secure a furnished property.

“It’s more common these days to accommodate children in apartments. According to 2016 Census data, the number of adults with children living in apartments between 2011 and 2016 increased by 56 per cent nationally.”

According to Mr Mifsud, divorced or separated women were likely to buy or rent two-bedroom, a two-bedroom and a study, or three-bedroom apartments for themselves and their children, while divorced or separated men would be more likely to move into an apartment with smaller space.

“The divorced father will usually have the children staying with him every second weekend, so he may not need such a large apartment,” he said.

“He’ll usually go for something like a one-bedroom apartment plus a study, which can be converted into a bedroom. The men will often look for an apartment near the ex-wife or their family home if she is still staying there with the children.”

As for their financial stability, the study The Economic Consequences of Divorce in Australia, published in 2014, claimed that divorced women will likely see a “substantial impact” on their household income and returns to the state it was during the marriage after six years, while divorced men are likely to see a “substantially faster” return to the level of income during their marriage.