Vacancy rates edge higher
Residential vacancy rates all the major metropolitan centres across NSW rose in June, according to the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW).
The percentage of available properties to rent in Sydney rose 0.1 to 1.8 per cent.
Newcastle also increased by 0.1 to 1.7 per cent, and on the central coast the percentage of available properties rose by 0.2 to 2.8 per cent.
The data showed that Wollongong recorded the strongest increase up 0.4 to 3.2 per cent, which is now more than three times the 0.9 per cent level recorded this time last year.
Coffs Harbour recorded the highest rental vacancy rate of 5.1 per cent.
REINSW president Christian Payne said there was plenty of choice across the state for tenants looking to rent.
"June did prove to be a good month for those looking to rent a property, with some strong increases recorded in available properties towards the end of the financial year," he said.
"Elsewhere across the state there were more modest increases, which have also improved the situation for tenants.
"It is clear that whatever the reason for the increases, it is still too early to be seeing any impact from the state government’s Budget initiatives announced in May.
"Given the incentives are only just starting to come online now and the full package not expected to be in place until October, the increases we have seen in the rental market are attributable to other factors," said Mr Payne.