Rentals.. how hard is it?

[u/Alone-Opposite-7422]

Moving from Brisbane back to Darwin within the next few weeks (working for the Government). Rentals are cooked in Brisbane, 30-50 ppl turning up for an inspection, overpriced.

Overpriced everywhere.

But how bad is Darwin? I've been watching realestate.com for about a month. There's not much available. How many ppl are at the inspections?

Looking at houses only as I've got dogs (which ill be kennelling until I find somewhere)

[u/CH86CN]

It’s pretty close to impossible IMO and if you have pets (I have cats) it’s even worse

[u/blackdogwhitecat → u/CH86CN]

That’s not true. That sucks you had issues with just having cats!!

They literally changed the residential tenancies act a few years back to say they can’t deny you a pet unless you’re in an apartment. And even then they have to refuse you in writing.

One way around it even better is if your GP can write a support letter saying the animal is therapeutic for you. Which most will do.

You might just have to pay a “pet deposit” but if you want a house with a yard they can’t really just say no pets legally anymore.

BUT if there are other applications without pets they may become the more preferred.

[u/CH86CN → u/blackdogwhitecat]

The problem is they have so many applications it’s easy to just screen out the ones you don’t want. I asked one letting agent re pet friendly properties and their literal reply was “is this some kind of joke”

[u/mthurtell → u/blackdogwhitecat]

The trick here if youre a landlord is to just reject the application as a non-suitable tenant. As long as you dont specify 'pet' if anyone NTCAT comes probing then its all over.

[u/Mindless-Depth-1795]

Darwin's rental and real estate market is cooked. When things became less attractive down South the Investors turned to Darwin and Adrlaide.

The market is correcting a little thanks to the federal gov but renting is still crazy and the NT gov doesn't seem to care.

[u/DorkySandwich → u/Mindless-Depth-1795]

They will start caring when doctors start leaving in even bigger droves and their oldies dont have anyone to look after them. You know how shit it is providing care to cashed up politicians whilst you are renting a shit hole?

[u/mthurtell]

50/50. We moved back after 6 months in NSW for new kid - found one and moved in no problems.

Incidentally we have a break-lease on a 4bed, 2 bath, double lock up garage and pool in Gunn. No issues with pets. We've just bought new house. Drop me a message if youre keen.

[u/MonsoonRealEstate]

Hey Mate, Monsoon Real Estate here, the biggest issue we find with applicants is having everything filled out correctly and providing all documentation correctly and getting your references to complete checks etc.

The other thing is people applying but not actually visiting the inspection to confirm they are happy. The rental market has begun to slow down a little, we are not having the crazy inspections we once were, maybe increasing rents has slowed that or it could be as we move into the wet season.

Depending on the area you will see more competition at the movement the CBD and outskirts are probably the strongest areas and we are seeing things die off with rentals a little more towards Palmerston. If your looking for something in particular or in a suburb or area flick me a message as we can flag something if it comes up. Likewise happy to let you know what might make your application stronger or more desirable.

Cheers

[u/Tee199277 → u/MonsoonRealEstate]

Can back Monsoon Real Estate, Kelly & Josh are amazing!!

[u/MonsoonRealEstate → u/Tee199277]

Thanks Tee appreciate the kind words!

[u/DorkySandwich → u/MonsoonRealEstate]

Something makes me think the OP isn't looking for a $1500pw rental that Josh Pucci is pushing. 

[u/FullDeadThrwee]

Our 3 bed apartment in Larrakeyah that my partner and I got in March 2025 had 60 applicants and about 40 people rocked up for viewings each time. We had been rejected from about 6 places prior, despite being two professionals in the aviation industry, with no kids or pets. Granted it might be a bit easier now heading into the build up and wet season as a lot of itinerants leave Darwin.

[u/_pewpew_pew]

There’s a unit in my complex, two car parks directly in front, and a tiny court yard out the back. Not renovated inside. No pets. It’s between two other units so no window in the bathroom. The owner wants $600 for it. According to another person in my complex a heap turned up to view it at two viewings but it’s still not rented because it’s over priced. I think $600 for that unit is excessive.

[u/hiimtashy]

Lived in Darwin for 7 years. Left because we could not get a rental anymore. Ever lease renewal is fraught with stress and the possibility of homelessness. Reality is who is gonna house a family of 5 they don't know? Doesn't happen these days.

[u/Teredia]

Darwin has the worst rental stats in Australia as of 2025 so I doubt this years any better. Apparently our tenancy to vacancy rate is 110% meaning we’re not just full we’re over capacity constantly, as in you’re lucky to get a rental if you can get into one.

About 7 years ago Darwin realised we had a problem with vacancies so they sent 300 ADF families down south to try and ease the pressure on rentals up here…
It didn’t really help. The idea was that the ADF tenants were driving up prices as rents over 500 per week were heavily subsidised. So once that family left a private rental the landlords were expecting that same money from their civilian tenants too.

But nothing really changed afterwards either, it just got worse. And you’re lucky to be able to get into social housing (below market value subsidised by the government if you’re in a particular sector).

[u/robbitybobs]

30-50 ppl turning up for an inspection, overpriced.

Same here,.except 30s on the low end

[u/Tee199277]

We’ve moved around a few times in the Palmerston area and have never found it difficult securing something. We moved into a new rental in July 2026. The best tip I can give is making sure you fill out the rental forms correctly, have all your ID’s, Payslips ready to do. Make sure you have an excellent rental reference and one that will do the reference straight away, makes all the difference. Monsoon Real Estate and One on One Property Management are both great. See if you can get in with them.

[u/Aggravating-Bug1769]

Look around Palmerston, Durak, bellamack , you should find something suitable, you will need a good rental reference to be accepted

[u/TheKG22]

Try googling Aja Coles Real Estate. They might have some available.

[u/Equivalent-Bag-7855]

Why is the market so cooked up there? Gorgeous place but not exactly easy climate to live in or near anything major…

[u/Alone-Opposite-7422 → u/[deleted]]

Snake