Perth Property Market Rental Trends January 2026
Managing a rental property in Perth requires a detailed understanding of a market that is increasingly favoring diversification. With house prices reaching new heights, a shift toward high-performing unit types is reshaping tenant demand and investor returns.
Our January 2026 market review incorporates the latest data to provide you with the insights needed to navigate this high-growth environment and maximise your portfolio’s performance.
Number of Perth Property Market Listings and Rentals
According to REIWA, for the week ending 1 February 2026, the Perth rental market saw 606 properties leased (426 houses and 180 units).
While this is a seasonal increase from the 253 properties leased four weeks ago, it remains slightly below the 649 rentals recorded during the same week last year.
Supply remains a critical factor; there are currently 2,060 properties available for rent.
As REIWA President Suzanne Brown recently noted in the 2026 Market Forecast, Perth prices continue to be driven by a “significant imbalance between supply and demand,” a trend keeping vacancy rates tight and competition high for the foreseeable future.
Median Prices in the Perth Rental Market
Monitoring median rental prices is essential for ensuring your property remains competitive. Data for the 12 months ending January 2026 shows a market that has reached new pricing plateaus.
For house rentals, the median weekly rent was $600 for 2-bedroom houses, $700 for 3-bedroom houses, and $750 for 4-bedroom houses.
Regarding rental activity by location, the top-performing suburbs North of the river were Perth (22), Eglinton (12), and Scarborough (10).
South of the river, the leaders were Baldivis (12), Como (10), and South Perth (10).
Insight: Demand Shifting To Unit Sector
Not all rental properties perform the same in this climate.
Industry data highlights that the term “unit” covers a broad range of dwellings with different growth profiles:
- Villas and Home Units: These stood out as the strongest performers for investors, delivering robust rental price increases and the highest yields.
- Townhouses: These followed closely, benefiting from the demand for private space at a more accessible price point than detached houses.
- Apartments: While still in demand, apartments recorded more modest capital growth compared to villas.
A notable shift is occurring in the unit sector. Affordability was the “dominant driver”, writes Suzanne Brown in Australian Property Investor Magazine, that saw units outperform houses in 2025.
As house prices increased, demand shifted toward the unit market, accelerating price growth and supporting stronger rental yields.
For 2026, REIWA expects similar rates of growth. Units currently offer attractive yields, making them a primary target for investors focused on cash flow.
Perth Rental Prices and Median Days
Rental prices have shown resilience at the start of the new year.
By the end of January 2026, the overall median weekly rent reached $710 per week.
Properties are currently moving quickly, mirroring the 16-day median lease time seen throughout late 2025.
Looking back, the median house rent price hit a record $700 in August 2025. The increase to $710 may indicate the “period of stability” anticipated for 2026.
Experts suggest that while the rate of growth may slow compared to the frantic pace of 2024, the lack of new housing supply will keep upward pressure on rents in lifestyle hubs and areas close to key infrastructure.
Conclusion
In summary, the Perth property market has entered 2026 with strong momentum. While house prices continue to grow, the rental market is seeing a surge in unit demand as affordability reshapes tenant choices.
This high-demand environment presents a strategic window to evaluate your property’s performance.
To ensure you are positioned to capture the growth forecast for the year ahead, request a free, customised rental appraisal from HERE Property’s local experts.
Get your FREE online rental appraisal today!
