Single parents struggle to find rentals in tight Victorian market

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Real Estate News

Rental Market,Single Parents,Regional Victoria

A single mother living in Bendigo, Victoria, says she and her son are constantly facing rejection from real estate agents who prioritize applicants with dual incomes. Eve shares her story of moving 13 times since her son was born and the toll it's taking on their well-being.

Eve, a single mum living in Bendigo, Victoria with her son Ollie, says they do not come close to meeting the standard that real estate agents are looking for.Eve, a single mum living in Bendigo, Victoria with her son Ollie, says they do not come close to meeting the standard that real estate agents are looking for.Real estate agents are only supposed to consider income and rental history.

The pair are now on the waitlist for public housing, which could take up to 10 years. Eve says the experience has taken a toll on their wellbeing.“I think it’s the chicken or the egg thing in terms of some of the behaviours that I’m getting out of Ollie – like not having our house, and not having his room, and our space and that sanctuary and that peace of mind,” she says. “It chips away at your resolve and your confidence at having a crack at things.

The average vacancy rate across regional Victoria is 2.1%, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. “Single mothers make really good tenants, they’re going to pay the rent first, they’re going to look after the house, they’ll treat it like a home and they want to stay put. Where is that in the rental industry in terms of creating a positive bias towards these families?”How did Australia's housing market get so bad, and is it all negative gearing's fault? – video

“People tell us they have been refused multiple times in their applications and they suspect it’s because they are a single parent, but it’s very difficult to prove.”

 

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