How much rent can I charge?

The right rent is set by comparable local lettings, your property's condition, size and features, and current demand. Overpricing leads to longer vacancy; underpricing leaves money on the table. A rental appraisal compares your property against recent local lettings to find the figure that leases quickly at the top of the market.

What sets your rent

Four things drive the number: the suburb and what similar properties there are leasing for right now, the property type and number of bedrooms, the condition and features (a renovated kitchen, air-conditioning, parking, a yard), and how tight demand is at the moment. Rent is a market figure, set by comparison, not a fixed formula.

Why the right price matters more than the highest price

It is tempting to list high and see what happens, but vacancy is expensive. Every week a property sits empty is a week of zero income that a small price premium will rarely recover. Pricing accurately means the property leases faster, to more applicants to choose from, which usually nets more over the year than chasing an optimistic figure.

How a rental appraisal works

A rental appraisal looks at what comparable properties in your area have recently leased for, not just what they are advertised at, then adjusts for your property's condition and features and the current level of demand. The result is a realistic range and a recommended asking rent. It is the single most useful number to have before you list.

Start with local median data

A good starting point is the median weekly rent for your suburb and property type. Our rent calculator shows indicative medians for every Greater Brisbane suburb, drawn from Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority bond data, and many of our suburb pages also show how local rents have moved over the past year. Treat these as a guide, then get an exact appraisal for your specific property.

How to improve the rent you can charge

Small, well-chosen improvements often lift the achievable rent and shorten vacancy: a fresh coat of paint, functioning air-conditioning, secure parking, modern appliances and a tidy presentation for marketing photos. A manager can tell you which changes are worth making for your property and which are not.

Common questions