Bonnie Cameron was knocked back from a dozen rental properties, despite offering to pay six months of rent upfront. (Source: Instagram\/@bonnieecameron) <\/p>\n
A Melbourne single mum<\/a> feared she and her two young kids would be homeless after she was knocked back for several rental properties. Australia’s rental market<\/a> remains incredibly tight and single parents can face added pressures navigating the system<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bonnie Cameron was recently knocked back for a dozen rental properties<\/a>, despite offering to pay six months of rent upfront. The 27-year-old told Yahoo Finance she was looking for properties in the $550 to $600 per week range, meaning she was offering more than $17,000 upfront, including bond<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be honest, it was really terrifying. I actually reached out to Uniting and a few different shelters and housing places, but no one could help me,\u201d Cameron said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was really scary too because I couldn\u2019t imagine if I had no savings. I don\u2019t know what I would\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED<\/p>\n Cameron started looking for a new rental<\/a> two months ago because the rent on her $800 per week Ringwood home had become too unaffordable.<\/p>\n She initially thought she would be able to find a property quickly, given she was downsizing<\/a> and had proven she was able to pay a higher $800 per week for her property.<\/p>\n But, as she kept getting knocked back, she said \u201cpanic\u201d started to set in.<\/p>\n \u201cIt got to the point where I was just applying for anything,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n To make matters worse, Cameron lost her job as an independent sole trader under the NDIS due to funding issues.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com<\/p>\n While she receives the parenting payment<\/a> from the government, along with child support, she said these \u201cdidn\u2019t touch the sides\u201d of what she and her two kids, aged 5 and 2, needed to get by.<\/p>\n While real estate agents did not tell Cameron why she was unsuccessful, she said she felt like single mums could be \u201cput in a box\u201d and people may be reluctant to rent to them<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand it. I\u2019m a single mum and people don\u2019t want to rent to a single mum who is a single-income household. You\u2019ve got children who may become sick,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhereas you\u2019ve got two working professionals who have a really long working history. It\u2019s very hard being stacked up against that sort of situation.\u201d<\/p>\n Tenants Victoria senior research and evaluation officer Hannah Gray said single parents faced \u201creal challenges\u201d<\/a> in securing housing and exercising their rights in the current market.<\/p>\n Story Continues <\/p>\n \u201cOften single parents are competing for limited housing options<\/a> against other households who may have multiple income streams, including couples and share houses,\u201d Gray told Yahoo Finance.<\/p>\n \u201cThis situation can become even more difficult if you need to find housing with bedrooms for kids, that is also close to schools, public transport, parks or existing community support networks.\u201d<\/p>\n Recent research led by Gray found the limited housing options on offer meant single parents<\/a> felt like they had to accept housing that was more than they could afford (between 34 to 64 per cent of their income), or homes with serious maintenance issues.<\/p>\n \u201cSingle parents tell us that they feel that they\u2019re at a disadvantage in the application process<\/a> due to the possibility of discriminatory attitudes among real estate agents and landlords, who may view them as less desirable candidates,\u201d Gray said.<\/p>\n This means they may disclose additional information about their families through in-depth cover letters or get extra personal references to try and \u201cconvince\u201d real estate agents they are a \u201cviable choice\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an unfair burden on single-parent renters, who may already be dealing with an overextended mental load, from the financial and physical responsibilities of solo caretaking,\u201d Gray said.<\/p>\n Anglicare’s 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot found single parents can face more obstacles when it comes to affordable housing options.<\/p>\n Just 2.6 per cent of the 51,238 rental listings analysed were found to be affordable for a single parent on the full-time minimum wage with two children.<\/p>\n It comes as rental vacancies remain low by historical standards and rents remain elevated<\/a>, despite price growth easing.<\/p>\n SQM data found national advertised rents rose 0.4 per cent in August and 4.6 per cent over the year. Vacancy rates were unchanged at 1.2 per cent in August.<\/p>\n The national combined rent average reached $653.50 during the month, while the capital city average is sitting at $747.70 a week, reflecting a 2.85 per cent annual decrease.<\/p>\n Cameron was able to secure a rental property last week and is now in the process of moving<\/a>. She has also started a new job.<\/p>\n Cameron has urged real estate agents and landlords to assess applicants individually and not to \u201cjudge a book by its cover\u201d when it comes to renting to single parents<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gray echoed this.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d also say to real estate agents that single parents make great tenants,” she said.<\/p>\n “They often stay in properties longer, and single parents tend to pay their rent before anything else \u2013 having a home is so essential to keeping your family safe.”<\/p>\n For other single parents navigating the rental system, Cameron said not to give up hope.<\/p>\n Cameron said offering rent upfront had helped her to secure the property, but other options like getting a guarantor<\/a> or writing a cover letter with personal references, could help applicants stand out.<\/p>\n \u201cJust don\u2019t get disheartened. Just keep on going, keep on applying and fingers crossed you will get something,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Get the latest Yahoo Finance news – follow us on Facebook<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cameron said she feels like single parents can be ‘put in a box’ and it can be hard to compete against double-income households. (Source: Instagram\/@bonnieecameron) <\/p>\n
Tenants Victoria’s Hannah Gray said single parents faced ‘real challenges’ securing housing and exercising their rights in the current market. (Source: Tenants Victoria\/NewsWire) <\/p>\n