An influx of university students, Defence postings, and public servants moving to Canberra at the start of 2018 is causing havoc for prospective renters, with up to 100 visitors per inspection at attractive inner-city apartments.
Traditionally the busiest time of year on the rental market, real estate agents have been planning for January and February for months, but higher than normal demand is leaving many punters frustrated.
Shennah Joiner and her daughter Katherine spent most of January searching for a place for her to share with her brother before the university year begins.
But after weeks of inspections and applications, time is running out.
"There's close to 100 people at inspections for anything under $400 (per week), when you move up to $450, you get down to sort of 30 or 40, so I think it's a numbers game," Shennah Joiner said.
"Our thinking we could start three weeks before uni started was a bad idea."
Katherine said given her family lived in rural NSW, she faced lengthy trips if she could not find a place in Canberra to live.
"I've got uni starting Tuesday, and it's very hard to get anything organised yet," she said.
"I'd say likely mum and dad will have to be driving me in for the first few days of uni which is very expensive fuel-wise and not really suitable."
Couch surfing while waiting for a home
Landscaping apprentice Thomas Lewis, 22, has faced even longer delays in breaking into the market, having begun his search months ago.
"It's been about four or three months to find a place with no luck," he said.
"I'm a first-time renter, but I need a chance to get in there.
"I've been couch surfing for the last few weeks, and it's not an ideal living situation.
"I think we're not treated with the same respect as older people who have rented houses before."
Leasing consultant Josephine Jankovic, from Independent Property Group, said some customers had offered up to $100 above asking price in order to secure properties.
"This time of year is always crazy busy," she said.
"A lot of people do beg, and ask how they can make their applications stronger - even if their applications are good, this time of year a lot of people are unsuccessful.
"It kind of feels like there's not enough properties to go around."
