Why It’s So Hard to Get a Rental in Sydney Right Now - And What You Can Do About It

If you’re feeling frustrated with the Sydney rental market, you’re not alone and it’s not your fault. Right now, thousands of renters are struggling to secure a home, even when they meet all the requirements. From endless applications to constant rejections, the system feels broken.

In this article, we’ll unpack why it’s so difficult to get approved, what’s really happening behind the scenes, and how Find My Home offers a smarter, faster path forward.

The Sydney Rental Market Is Tough, You’re Not Imagining It

Demand for rentals in Sydney is at an all-time high. With rising migration, limited new housing, and many tenants staying longer in their current properties, vacancy rates are low and competition is intense.

Agents are often receiving 20 to 50 applications per property, sometimes more. This means even strong applicants can be overlooked simply because someone else applied first, knew the agent, or had a longer rental history.

If you’ve been applying and getting rejected, it may have nothing to do with your quality as a tenant and everything to do with the pressure on agents to move fast and select “safe” applicants.

Common Challenges Renters Face

Here’s what most renters are up against:

• No local rental history

  International students, new migrants, or those renting for the first time often get rejected automatically.

• Short employment history or casual work

  Even with stable income, many applications are dismissed if the job isn’t permanent or full-time.

• Incomplete documentation

  Not sure what documents you actually need? We’ve broken it down for you in our guide to essential rental documents in NSW.

• Too many people applying and limited relationships with agents

  In competitive areas, agents often favour applicants they already know or have dealt with before. Without an existing relationship, it can be harder to stand out.

Why Doing Everything Right Still Isn’t Enough

You might have:

• A solid income

• Clean documents

• Great references

...and still get told "no." Why?

Because many agents are now prioritising speed, familiarity, and certainty. If they’ve worked with someone before or receive a near-perfect application early, they’ll often stop considering new applicants altogether.

In our article on why rental applications get rejected, we explore this in more detail and how you can avoid the most common mistakes.

But even a perfect application can be overlooked in a market like this. That’s where we come in.

How Find My Home Changes the Game

We created Find My Home to help renters skip the chaos and get approved faster.

Here’s how we help:

• We apply on your behalf, using our trusted business profile.

  Because we already have relationships with agents across Sydney, our applications are often prioritised and taken more seriously.

• We hold the lease and offer you a compliant residential agreement.

  This allows you to live in the home without being judged on your personal rental history or visa status.

• We support you from application to approval and beyond.

  No more guessing what documents you need or waiting in long queues at open homes.

• We move fast.

  Our existing agent relationships and experience mean we can secure properties quicker than most individuals.

We've Already Helped Dozens of Renters, You Could Be Next

Our clients are students, professionals, new arrivals, and everyday renters who were tired of rejection and uncertainty. Many had been turned away multiple times before they came to us.

Once we stepped in, they were able to move into long-term homes quickly, legally, and with peace of mind.

And once you’re settled, we’ll guide you through every stage of the lease including your rental routine inspections to make sure you stay on track and protect your rental record.

Let’s Make Your Next Application Your Last One

If you're ready to stop getting rejected and start moving forward, we’re ready to help.

Let Find My Home open the door to your next rental no stress, no rejection.