Perth’s Rental Boom Exposed a Major Problem in Property Management
Over the past few years, Perth has experienced some of the fastest rental growth we’ve seen in decades.
In many cases, owners who had long-term tenants significantly below market rent ultimately reached a point where the gap became too large to sustain financially.
And this is where we’ve often seen difficult decisions made — including owners choosing to end tenancies or sell properties vacant in order to reset rents back to market levels. Quuew "No grounds terminations".
The question worth asking is:
Was that truly an owner-driven decision?
Or was the owner simply not given enough information earlier to make gradual, informed adjustments over time?
I see this happen regularly, particularly in investment-style properties approaching sale.
Rental income directly impacts perceived investment value.
If rents are consistently maintained below market value, this can reduce overall yield performance, impact investor appeal and ultimately influence future sale outcomes. Especially with the more recent WA Rent Reforms moving to 12 monthly rent increases.
This is why proactive portfolio management matters.
A good property manager shouldn’t simply be collecting rent and conducting inspections.
They should be helping owners understand:
Current market positioning
Long-term rental strategy
Risk management
Tenant retention vs. financial performance
Asset presentation and maintenance planning
Future resale implications
Because property management is no longer just operational.
It’s becoming increasingly strategic.
In today’s market, the difference between proactive portfolio management and reactive property management can ultimately mean the difference between protecting an investment, or slowly losing control of it.
About The Author
Lauren Thumwood – Director/Licensee, L Residential
Lauren Thumwood is a Property Management specialist with over 13 Years industry experience operating at Senior leadership levels within the Perth Residential Rental Market. Having led and optimised large rent rolls, Lauren is known for her structured, performance-driven approach focusing on efficiency, compliance, and measurable portfolio outcomes.
As the Director of L Residential, Lauren brings a unique perspective as both a property professional and investor, combining strategic oversight with hands-on experience in leasing, tenancy management, and asset performance. Her approach is built on transparency, accountability, and proactive management, ensuring clients are not only informed, but positioned to make confident, data-backed decisions.
Lauren founded L Residential to redefine the investor experience, delivering one point of contact, consistent communication, detailed reporting, and a clear strategy focused on performance, risk management, and long-term asset protection.