property
Build-to-rent developments and what they offer tenants
New complexes in Maroochydore and surrounding suburbs give renters access to fixed leases and shared facilities that ease the gap with high purchase prices.
How we reported this
Build-to-rent projects on the Sunshine Coast now list one-bedroom units from $520 a week with twelve-month leases locked in, a direct alternative for tenants facing the state median house price of $880,000.
The July 2026 figures arrive as Maroochydore CBD construction pushes ahead and remote-worker households continue to arrive from southern capitals, pushing weekly rents higher in established pockets such as Buderim and Mooloolaba.
Local projects under way
Two schemes sit at the centre of current activity. The first, a 180-unit complex on the corner of First Avenue and Duporth Avenue in Maroochydore, opened its first stage in March and offers tenants a gym, co-working lounge and on-site management. The second, a smaller 92-unit site near Noosa Junction on Sunshine Beach Road, targets longer-stay professionals with pet-friendly policies and bundled utilities.
Sunshine Coast Council planning records show both developments received fast-track approval under the state’s build-to-rent incentives introduced in late 2024, which require at least 10 per cent of units to remain affordable for five years.
Renter costs versus ownership
At the state median price of $880,000, a buyer with a 20 per cent deposit faces monthly repayments above $4,800 on current rates, according to July 2026 lending data released by the Reserve Bank. In contrast, the new Maroochydore build-to-rent units start at $520 a week, or roughly $2,250 a month, with no maintenance levies or stamp duty.
Tenants also gain access to shared facilities that individual owners would otherwise fund themselves, including secure bike storage and resident events run by the property manager.
Prospective renters can compare listings through the council’s housing portal or contact the on-site leasing teams at the two sites before the next stage of Maroochydore units reaches completion in December.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.