Brisbane is one of the fastest growing capital cities in Australia. With its subtropical climate, vibrant culture and economy, stunning scenery, and excellent infrastructure, Brisbane continues to attract new residents every year.
If you’re considering a move to Brisbane, finding the right rental property can be challenging. With an influx of renters and rising property prices, competition is fierce for the best rentals on the market. The key is knowing where to search, what to look for, and having the right strategy to secure your ideal home.
Real estate for rent in Brisbane
The Brisbane rental market features all types of properties for rent including houses, apartments, units, townhouses, duplexes, studios and more. Popular rental suburbs surround the Brisbane City district and spread across metro and coastal regions.
Rental prices in Brisbane can vary widely depending on factors like location, property type, size, amenities and condition. However, compared to other Australian capitals like Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane rentals are still quite affordable.
Costs of living in Brisbane
While rent eats up a big chunk of people’s income, Brisbane enjoys a relatively low cost of living compared to elsewhere in Australia:
- The average rent for a one bedroom unit in the city is around $460 per week
- Public transport, food, household items and eating out tend to cost less
- Most household utilities like electricity, gas and water are very reasonably priced
Combining decent rental prices and overall living expenses, plus great lifestyle perks, it’s easy to understand Brisbane’s appeal for interstate and overseas migrants.
Affordable Brisbane suburbs
Certain Brisbane regions and suburbs cater well to renters on a budget. Although they may be further from the city centre, these affordable areas still offer good rental options:
- Logan
- Forest Lake
- Darra
- Oxley
- Goodna
- Gailes
Property prices get more expensive closer to the city, river and coastal suburbs. But even within sought-after inner-city neighbourhoods, there are still decent affordable rentals available with some hunting.
Brisbane is a great place to live
Queensland’s sunny capital has so much going for it. Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Brisbane a fantastic city to base yourself:
- Friendly people and a relaxed riverside lifestyle
- Fantastic weather with year-round sunshine
- Thriving food, music and arts scene
- Major shopping precincts and venues
- Excellent public transport system
- Surrounded by beautiful coastline and hinterland scenery
Whether you’re relocating for work or pleasure, Brisbane ticks many boxes in terms of culture, convenience, climate and quality of living.
Popular Rental Districts for Brisbane Commuters
Certain areas allow easy commuting access into the CBD for work while also providing nice suburban environments to live in. Here are some of Brisbane’s most popular rental regions according to livability and transport connectivity:
Inner City
- South Brisbane - Directly across the Brisbane River from the CBD
- West End - Hip and vibrant inner-south suburb
- Newstead & Teneriffe - Trendy inner-northern precincts
- Fortitude Valley - Epicentre of Brisbane’s nightlife and entertainment
Northside
- Nundah - Young families and professionals
- Northgate - Leafy established suburb
- Boondall - New housing estates servicing the Airport district
Southside
- Annerley - Popular for good schools and parks
- Moorooka - mix of families, students and young professionals
- Yeronga & Yeerongpilly - Pretty neighbourhoods beside the river
East
- Kangaroo Point - Next to the CBD with premium views
- Woolloongabba - Home of the famous Gabba cricket stadium
- Coorparoo & Camp Hill - Family friendly areas near schools and parks
Commuters in all directions benefit from extensive rail, bus and ferry connections leading downtown. Proximity to public transport means less traffic headaches and saves on transport costs too.
Where to look for rental properties?
Casting your net wider in the property search using every channel possible will help surface the best rental opportunities. Here are the top methods for property hunting in Brisbane:
Online Listings Sites
All types of Brisbane rentals are advertised online. Useful third-party listing sites include:
- realestate.com.au
- domain.com.au
- rent.com.au
- flatmates.com.au
- realestateview.com.au
- rentfind.com.au
Set up saved searches with alerts to receive instant notifications when new rentals match your criteria. View comprehensive details and photos then contact the listing agent to schedule inspections.
Estate Agent Websites
Major real estate agencies list rentals through their own branded websites too. Directly browse listings then inspect and apply via the managing agent. Useful agency sites include:
- Ray White
- LJ Hooker
- Place Estate Agents
- Belle Property
- Harcourts
Social Media Groups
Join Brisbane rental and housing Facebook groups, Reddit forums and Gumtree listings where private landlords and tenants connect directly. The types of properties for rent advertised range from granny flats, rooms for rent, and studio apartments right up to family-sized houses.
University Accommodation
Students looking for shared houses, dorms and affordable units around campuses should check what dedicated rental options their education provider facilitates. Most Brisbane universities like QUT and UQ run housing services that university-vetted properties.
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FAQ
What documents do I need when applying for a rental?
Essential documents to have ready for any rental application include:
- 100 points ID like driver's licence, passport, birth certificate
- Proof of income - recent pay slips, bank statements, employer letter
- Rental ledger history
- References - personal, employment, previous landlord
How much is the rental bond?
The rental bond is typically 4 weeks of rent. Bond money is lodged with the RTA as security, to be repaid at the end of the tenancy if no damage or unpaid rent. Some conditions apply.
What expenses are involved with renting?
Aside from the weekly rent amount tenants must also budget for:
- Rental bond
- Utility connection fees like electricity, gas
- Internet and phone plans
- Contents insurance
- Furniture, appliances and household items
Are pets allowed?
Whether pets are permitted depends on the landlord and building bylaws. Be upfront about pets when applying. An extra pet bond and agreement conditions usually apply for approved pets.
How long are rental agreements?
Standard rental agreements run either 6 or 12 months. After the fixed term expires tenancy continues rolling month by month. Long term leases of 1-2 years may secure better rental rates.
