In all Australian States, other than Tasmania, it is legal for prospective tenants to offer more than the advertised rent, in the hope of getting the property for themselves.
When a tenant offers a higher rent, in the hope of securing a rental property, they are effectively pushing up the expectations of higher rents for landlords in the area.
Many prospective tenants are doing just that at the moment, due to the shortage of available properties.
Can an Agent ask for a higher rent than advertised?
It is illegal for agents to ask renters to bid higher, in four States in Australia. These are currently NSW, Qld, Victoria and Tasmania.
It is “currently” Legal for agents to suggest that renters bid higher in South Australia, West Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
Legality for Rent Bidding in the Australian Capital Territory and West Australia is changing, and will soon prohibit solicited rent bidding in these States/Territories.