Too much month at the end of the money: 2 in 5 renters make sacrifices to survive soaring costs
From moving suburbs to applying for housing assistance, Australian tenants are taking extreme measures to pay less rent, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 343 renters revealed 2 in 5 (39%) – equivalent to 1.1 million people – have gone above and beyond to reduce their rental costs or avoid paying it altogether in the last 12 months.
More than 1 in 10 (13%) relocated to a cheaper property or suburb, while 8% moved in with a loved one to avoid having to pay rent.
A further 7% asked a friend or family member for money so they could afford the payment.
Richard Whitten, home loans expert at Finder, said the data shows how deeply the rental crisis is hurting Australians.
"There's a clear limit to what people can afford.
"Too many tenants are finding themselves in financial stress because of how much they have to pay."
The research shows 6% have taken on a housemate to lower their costs, while a further 6% managed to negotiate a rental reduction.
The same number (6%) have applied for government housing assistance.
Worryingly, 6% have fallen behind on their repayments, while 3% didn't pay their rent for a certain period.
Whitten said the undersupply of housing has been building for a while.
"High property prices are keeping people in the rental market for longer."
Despite the grim outlook, Whitten said there are strategies to lighten the load.
"Extending your search to surrounding suburbs, considering more modest properties, or even negotiating directly with landlords can help.
"Some renters may also be eligible for government rent assistance.
"Another way to steer clear of the rental market is to keep living with your parents for a bit longer, if that's an option."
Have you done any of the following to reduce your rent or avoid paying rent in the last 12 months?
| Moved to a cheaper property/area | 13% |
| Moved in with family or friends (rent-free or reduced rent) | 8% |
| Asked for financial help from family or friends to pay rent | 7% |
| Taken on a housemate/s to share rent | 6% |
| Negotiated a rent reduction with my landlord/real estate agent | 6% |
| Applied for government housing assistance (e.g., rent assistance) | 6% |
| Fallen behind on rent payments | 6% |
| Not paid rent for a period | 3% |
| Taken out a loan to pay rent | 2% |
| None of the above | 61% |
| Source: Finder survey of 343 Australian renters, August 2025 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 343 renters from August 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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