Rent Reviews: What Most Landlords Leave on the Table

If your rent hasn’t moved in over a year, you’re not maximising your return, you’re subsidising your tenant.

A properly timed rent review doesn’t just increase income. It keeps your property aligned with the market and ensures your investment works as hard as it should.

1. Timing Is Strictly Regulated

In Australia, rent increases can only occur once every 12 months. Even for periodic leases, landlords must respect this rule. Your property manager should track lease dates and notify you in advance to stay compliant and maintain good tenant relations.

2. You Don’t Have to Be the Bad Guy

Some landlords avoid rent increases because they don’t want confrontation. That’s fair, but that’s also not your job. A good manager communicates changes professionally, gives fair notice, and backs it with data. Market conditions, comparables, vacancy rates, it’s not personal, it’s business.

3. Tenants Aren’t as Fragile as You Think

Worried they’ll leave? Most won’t. Not for a $20/week increase. Good tenants know the cost of moving, bond, moving trucks, utilities, new references. If the increase is fair and communicated well, most stay put. And if they don’t? We already have a plan.

4. Market Conditions Shift. So Should Your Rent.

Inflation. Rate rises. Tight vacancy. All of these drive rental growth. Your rent needs to reflect that, especially if you're planning to refinance or sell. Undervalued rent affects your property’s yield and can drag down its valuation.

5. The Numbers Add Up Fast

Even small increases make a difference. A $30/week rise = $1,560/year. Compound that over a portfolio, and you're talking real money. Not raising rent might feel generous. But it's really just a missed opportunity.

Bottom Line

Avoiding rent reviews doesn’t help your tenant, it just hurts your return.

Stay in line with the market. Review early. Review often. And if your current manager isn’t leading that conversation, we will.