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Short answer: Based on 2,315 rental applications on the Cubbi platform over the last 18 months, rent bidding is the exception, not the norm. Most applicants apply at the advertised price and most leases end up being signed at that price.
Applications are from across Australia, mostly capital cities and large regional centres.
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Rent bidding is when a renter offers an amount that is different to the advertised rent to try to secure a property. This can be higher or lower. Some jurisdictions restrict how offers are solicited or accepted. The figures above reflect what applicants actually offered and what leases were finally signed for, not how people said they felt.
Surveys often report how pressured people say they feel. Our figures show what actually happened during applications and lease signing. That is why the story can sound louder than the final outcome on the ground.
Is rent bidding common
Not in our data. Nine percent offered above and eight percent offered below. Most applied at the advertised amount and most leases were signed at that amount.
Does offering more improve the chance of getting approved
Our figures are outcome based, not probability claims. What we can say is that almost nine out of ten leases were signed at the advertised price, which suggests higher offers did not dominate lease outcomes.
Why do some areas feel very competitive
Local conditions can vary. Some pockets experience stronger pressure at times. The figures above reflect the full set of applications across the period and locations noted.
Should I advertise slightly under market to create competition
The data suggests most leases settle at the advertised price so even if you do create competition it’s unlikely to add a higher renturn.
Is rent bidding illegal
Rules differ by state and can change. The figures above do not rely on any specific rule set. They simply report what applicants offered and what was signed. Check your state guidance for current rules. In QLD, landlords cannot accept an amount higher than the advertised rent — even if the tenant freely offers it.
Most properties rent at the advertised price.
Maybe the problem is not the market. Maybe it is the noise.
Small issues in a rental don’t stay small. A missed repair here, a slow follow-up there — they stack up until trust breaks and tenants decide to leave. The result? An owner who thought things were under control ends up losing almost a month’s rent in vacancy, letting fees, and disputes. The lesson is simple: resolve issues quickly, build trust from the start, and use a system like Cubbi to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Michael Gilbert
For homeownersMost properties rent at the advertised price. Out of 2,315 applications on the Cubbi platform (Mar 2024 – Aug 2025): 9% offered above (+$44/week on average) 8% offered below (–$108/week on average) 83% applied at the advertised rent 89% of leases were signed at the advertised rent 👉 Rent bidding makes headlines — but in practice, it’s the exception, not the rule. Maybe the problem isn’t the market. Maybe it’s the noise.
Michael Gilbert
For homeownersSwitching property managers is easier than most owners think. You can do it at any time, even mid-lease, without disrupting your tenant. This guide explains the rules, notice periods, common mistakes to avoid, and exactly what your new agent should collect on switch day. Use our free Management Agreement Checker to confirm your notice period and exit fees.
Michael Gilbert
For homeowners
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