While the days of double-digit rental increases have passed, new data shows rents are continuing to rise.

Cotality’s quarterly rent review shows nationally rents are up 4.3% over the year to September. The latest results mean rents have increased 43.8% in the past five years.

It says supply continues to be a major factor driving the re-acceleration in rental growth.

The biggest increase in rents in the September quarter was in Darwin and Brisbane, with house rents up 4.7% and 1.3% and unit rents up 3.3% and 0.8%. Perth unit rents also increased 0.8% during the quarter.

According to SQM Research data, nationally, rents increased by 0.8% during September to $655 per week.

SQM Managing Director Louis Christopher says the rental market continues to be undersupplied.

He puts the national vacancy rate at 1.2% which equates to 36,046 vacant dwellings – 1696 fewer than in August.