Perth renters prefer apartments, survey finds

It also found that 39 per cent had already moved from a house into an apartment, and had changed from two to three bedrooms to one to two bedrooms.

WAAA managing director Samantha Reece said that the downturn in mining led to apartment living becoming more popular because it was more affordable, and renters were choosing space together with location.

“The majority of the renters were seeking locations in the CBD and then within a five-kilometer radius of the city,” Ms Reece said.

“This was supported by the fact that most of the respondents indicated that travel time to work influenced their decision when choosing an apartment. This was further reflected in the amenities that they chose to live close to.”

A full 91 per cent said that they were in walking distance to public transport, 90 per cent to cafes, 86 per cent to a grocery shop and 84 per cent to services such as hairdressers.

Ms Reece said that while 44 per cent had not had any prior experience with living in an apartment, 82 per cent would recommend this option to their friends and colleagues.

“This demonstrates that apartments are cementing their position within the Perth rental market, but that investors need to be aware of the changing attitudes of renters,” Ms Reece said.

“Typically, developers have been creating one- and two-bedroom options for the investment market, but as the Perth apartment sector starts to become more sophisticated, the desires of renters are also changing.”