Tasmanian couple delays parenthood as rents spiral beyond reach
A Tasmanian couple delayed parenthood after being pushed from three rentals in five years.
Marie and her partner have put plans for a family on hold because they cannot find stable, affordable housing in Tasmania's north. Over five years, they were forced to leave three properties through no-cause lease terminations.
When they tried to rent again, properties cost over $500 a week, more than Marie's entire weekly income as a self-employed person. The couple recently moved in with Marie's parents after coming within about two weeks of homelessness.
During one tenancy dispute, a $450 cleaning bill ballooned to over $1,000, and the bond dispute took three months to resolve. According to recent data, Tasmania's Residential Tenancy Commissioner handled 2,092 disputed bond cases over 2025, 26, taking an average of 57 days to settle each one.
- Over $500
- Minimum weekly rent
- Less than $500 (self-employed)
- Marie's weekly income
- 3
- No-cause evictions in 5 years
- 57 days
- Average days to settle bond dispute
Why it mattersUnaffordable rental markets are now pushing working-age Australians to delay major life decisions like parenthood, threatening population growth and forcing reliance on family support.
AustraliaTasmania's rental crisis is forcing young couples to postpone families and move back with parents, signalling a broader Australian housing affordability crisis affecting major life choices across multiple states.
Corroborated bytheadvocate.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
