Cambridge Rental Market Update – Insights for Landlords & Investors

Across all property sizes in Cambridge, tenant search activity increased 4% year-on-year, while new rental listings declined by 9% over the same period.

Despite this, achievable rents have softened slightly after several years of strong growth.

The median expected rent across all rental properties in Cambridge is now approximately $665 per week with a median leasing timeframe of 21 days to secure a tenancy.

For landlords with an investment property in Cambridge, this reflects a market where:

• tenant demand remains healthy
• vacancy risk is low
• but pricing accuracy is now critical

Within our own Cambridge portfolio, we are currently taking an average of 17 days from advertising to signed tenancy - around four days faster than the broader market.

Tenants today have more choice than they did 12–18 months ago and are increasingly selective about what they are willing to pay. However, well-presented and professionally marketed homes continue to lease quickly.

Is Supply of Rentals in Cambridge Catching Up with Demand?

Demand for rental housing in Cambridge still outweighs supply - but the gap is narrowing.

New listings have reduced across the district, while tenant enquiry levels have increased.

This subtle shift means Cambridge landlords now face greater competition from comparable homes — particularly where properties are:

• priced above market expectations
• lacking internal garaging
• or missing modern heating and ventilation features

Working with an experienced property manager in Cambridge can help ensure your rental is positioned competitively in this evolving leasing environment.

How Long is it Taking to Rent a Property?

When we break the Cambridge rental market down by number of bedrooms, we begin to see different leasing dynamics emerging - although it’s important to interpret these smaller datasets cautiously due to sample size limitations in Cambridge.

Based on January 2026 Trade Me activity across Cambridge:

Two-bedroom rental properties in Cambridge are currently achieving a median rent of $565 per week, with leasing timeframes holding at approximately 21 days. 

Three-bedroom homes - which form the bulk of Cambridge rental stock - are achieving a median rent of $650 per week, also leasing in around 21 days on average.

Larger four-bedroom-plus homes are achieving higher median rents of approximately $780 per week, while leasing slightly faster at a median of 18 days.

This improved leasing time for larger homes appears to be supported by a 40% year-on-year reduction in new listings in that segment. Constrained supply is getting properties rented faster.

Taken together, this suggests:

• smaller homes are benefiting from tenant affordability constraints
• mid-market family homes are facing more pricing competition
• and larger homes continue to lease efficiently, but rely on a narrower tenant pool

What Cambridge Tenants Are Looking For in 2026

Across all rental properties managed by Cambridge property managers, tenants are increasingly prioritising:

• internal garaging or off-street parking
• modern heating and ventilation
• low-maintenance outdoor areas
• and additional bathrooms in family homes

That second bathroom is becoming a key differentiator — helping landlords:

• attract higher-quality applicants
• reduce vacancy risk
• and improve rent resilience

For investors renovating an investment property in Cambridge, adding a second bathroom can materially improve leasing outcomes.

Why Tenant Selection Still Matters

Finding good tenants in Cambridge is slightly harder than it was a year ago - but far from impossible.

With Tenancy Tribunal wait times continuing to stretch beyond two months in some cases, careful tenant selection remains essential.

In a stabilising market, securing the right long-term tenant promptly often delivers a stronger financial outcome than holding out for an additional $10–$20 per week in rent.

The Bottom Line for Cambridge Landlords

Demand remains healthy, but tenants now have more choice and higher expectations. Leasing timeframes are steady at around three weeks, but with fewer strong applicants per property, landlords must act quickly.

In 2026, the fundamentals matter more than ever:

• competitive pricing
• professional presentation
• Healthy Homes compliance
• and careful tenant selection

Done well, these will protect your investment and help ensure your rental property continues to perform in the Cambridge and Waipā rental market.

If you’re looking for an experienced Cambridge property manager to support your rental investment, our team can provide a no-obligations, data-led Cambridge rental appraisal based on current enquiry trends and comparable listings.