Unprecedented rent prices put pressure on poor earners

When Adelaide student Chanel Trezise moved from regional SA to the CBD for her studies, she didn't imagine forgoing medical appointments or fresh food to keep a roof over her head.

She said that I've always struggled with making ends meet so that I can pay rent the following week, but it's just getting too much at the moment because of inflation.

Ms Trezise pays more than half of her income for a room in a three-bedroom share house in Adelaide.

She said she was close to moving back to her parents home 90 minutes away due to financial pressures.

A lot of medical clinics have stopped bulk-billing, I don't go to the dentist anymore, I'm also struggling to eat healthy, Ms Trezise said.

A lot of foods are very expensive to buy because of inflation. A new report by the Anti-Poverty Network of South Australia, which surveyed 300 people, detailed the dire situation that low-income renters were facing as rental prices went up during a record tight market.

Anti-Poverty Network of South Australia coordinator Pas Forgione delivered the report to SA politicians today, and said 44 per cent of low-income earners like Ms Trezise were paying more than half of their income on rent.

He said the stories that were shared through the survey were concerning.

She told us she has $18 left after she covers rent and bills, and that her rent was increased 60 bucks a week.

The great challenge is not only your rent high, but you don't know how big your next rent increase will be. The group wants the South Australian government to freeze rent to ease pressure on tenants, similar to what the Federal Greens called for in August.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was particularly concerned about low-income earners and pensioners.

You don't want to have a situation in which government unwittingly intervenes in the marketplace that undermines investment in future supply.

We have to balance that up very carefully.