Students returning to Dunedin might have more choices when selecting a flat this year.
The number of rental listings across the country was down in all major metropolitan regions, with only the student cities of Palmerston North and Dunedin bucking the trend.
Released figures show Dunedin rental listings increased 28% for the final quarter of last year, compared with the corresponding period the previous year, with Palmerston North recording an increase of 6%.
"Landlords in these cities will be eagerly awaiting the return of the Otago and Massey students in the coming weeks. And students look set to have plenty of flat options to choose from as they get organised for the first semester," Trade Me Property head Brendon Skipper said.
Falls in the number of listings were recorded in Christchurch (-32%), Wellington (-20%) and Auckland's North Shore (-14%).
Edinburgh Realty general manager Mark Miller said the company had recently had its busiest period for rentals, with many flats in the student quarter changing tenants in the new year.
"Normally it is busy, but this year it has been incredibly busy and we have more properties now than we have had on record before as well."
While Dunedin listings were up, prices were also likely to follow with the average rent up 6% compared with the corresponding quarter last year.
Otago University Students Association president Logan Edgar said he "was sick of seeing students living day to day with no money because they are paying through their teeth for some Third World flats".
"It gives good landlords a bad name and gives students a long-lasting bad taste in their mouth about living in Dunedin."
Every year the OUSA support centre had students coming in seeking advice "because they have signed up for a fixed-term overpriced flat that they either can't afford, or [are] aggrieved over the conditions relative to what they are paying," Mr Edgar said.
Demand for rental properties nationally was up 13% in the same quarter - led by Manukau (25%), Waitakere (20%) and North Shore (19%). Dunedin was the only major metropolitan area to record a drop in demand (-11%).
"If [nationally] demand remains at its current levels ...landlords will be able to capitalise on strong demand for their properties with increased rents," Mr Skipper said.
