Long-term Renters in the Australian Housing Market

Abstract

The paper provides the first examination into the characteristics and housing circumstances of long-term private renters in Australia. It utilises a national sample of 4677 private renter households drawn from the 1994 ABS Survey of Rental Tenants. In Australia 40 per cent of private renters are identified as 'long-term renters', defined as having rented for more than 10 years. Two main types of long-term renters are examined: 'continuals' who have rented continuously since leaving the parental home, and 'returners' who have resumed renting after a period as a home purchaser, but cumulatively have rented for more than 10 years. Continuals, in contrast to returners, are characterised mainly by lower household incomes and higher unemployment. Returners, on the other hand, are more diverse socio-economically, older than other private renters, and more likely to have experienced marital breakdown. Long-term renters (both continuals and returners) change residence less frequently (although still at a rate double the national average). Rental conditions also vary between long and shorter-term groups. Long-term renters appear to be in a less form alised sector of the market. They are less likely than shorter-term renters to rent from estate agents, pay a bond, hold a lease, or pay rent in advance. The findings in this paper challenge the traditional view of private rental as predom inantly a short-term, transitional tenure.

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