MILDURA is lagging other regional cities in the state when it comes to dishwasher rates among rentals, and tenants are likely to be scrubbing for some time yet.
Only 29 per cent of rentals offered in Mildura this week featured a dishwasher, despite electric versions of the machine becoming commonplace from the 1970s.
By comparison, Geelong, Ballarat and Warrnambool boast rates above 50 per cent while Albury-Wodonga and Bendigo are over 40 per cent.
Shepparton, Horsham and Traralgon are all above 30 per cent, with the figures bouncing around slightly from week to week as properties go onto and come off the market.
Ray White Mildura managing director Damian Portaro said the city’s housing mix was likely to blame for the low rates.
“It would be the age of our investment properties, they are old,” Mr Portaro said.
“We have a lot of older rental properties, particularly on the east-side of Mildura.
“Some of them go back to the 1950s, or are older.
“Dishwashers aren’t that expensive, around $500, but for many of these properties, they just can’t fit them in.
“It requires new cabinetry; to update the kitchen is just not viable if it’s going to cost you $10,000 or $20,000.”
Dishwashers can start at around $350 for the benchtop versions, and range from about $500 to $900 for typical freestanding versions.
Machines that are partially or fully integrated into the cabinetry can cost several thousand.
And there seems to be little incentive for landlords to add the item with Mr Portaro saying there was a rental supply problem in Mildura.
“The vacancy rate has been below one per cent for years,” he said, adding that dishwashers was rarely a discussion he had with landlords.
“They add appeal, but not value,” he said, saying it was generally only a focus for applicants presented with two very similar properties.
Mr Portaro said Mildura was long overdue for a renovation boom among its older properties, similar to the one he had seen in Albury-Wodonga in recent years, which might improve the situation.
And also the rate was unlikely to fall further with a vast majority of new-builds including dishwashers.
“They have become standard since 2010, certainly the last 10 years. I have clients who build for investment and they all include dishwashers,” Mr Portaro said.
“They are not expensive and they give more choice, which attracts more tenants.”
Mr Portaro said the day may come when they were mandated, perhaps as a water-saving measure, but with governments’ focus on getting as many rentals onto the market as possible, “I don’t see that happening at the moment”.
RENTAL HOMES WITH DISHWASHERS
Greater Ballarat – 58 per cent (321 rentals)
Greater Warrnambool – 55 per cent (*47 rentals)
Greater Geelong – 50 per cent (691 rentals)
Greater Albury-Wodonga – 46 per cent (206 rentals)
Greater Bendigo – 41 per cent (218 rentals)
Greater Shepparton – 35 per cent (113 rentals)
Greater Horsham – 34 per cent (*35 rentals)
Greater Traralgon – 31 per cent (172 rentals)
Greater Mildura – 29 per cent (122 rentals)
Greater Wangaratta – 18 per cent (*17 rentals)
Victoria – 50 per cent of (18,480 rentals)
Source: realestate.com.au, rounded to nearest whole number (as of February 12)
*below 50 rentals, so percentage may vary more widely
