REA Group's Realestate.com.au has unveiled a new affordability filter to its rental experience, allowing users to search for properties under specific rental affordability schemes such as the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

The new feature follows the introduction of an accessibility filter in the buy and rent experiences last month, which aids consumers in their search for properties with features such as wide doorways and step-free entry.

General Manager – Product at REA Group, Jarrod Scott, said: “Our whole experience is built on really listening to our consumers, as well as our customers. We regularly survey our audience and our customers in a formal sense, but we also welcome their views through informal channels.”

The affordability filter is designed to alleviate some of the stress of finding a new home for those eligible for specific rental affordability schemes.

“We know that persistent national rental market challenges and rising cost of living pressures continue to impact so many Australians. For those who are eligible for specific rental affordability schemes, our new affordable housing search filter is designed to ease some of the stress of finding a new home. The filtered search provides more clarity around eligibility for these properties and will ultimately also support agents in receiving applicable enquiries and applications," said Scott.

The accessibility filter, introduced last month, was designed with the support of groups such as Spinal Life Australia. It enables consumers to easily filter buy and rent properties with accessible features. “We were also pleased to add a new accessibility filter to our experience last month. Designed with the support of groups such as Spinal Life Australia, this update enables consumers to easily filter buy and rent properties with accessible features. Agents simply need to identify these features in listing copy and the property will automatically appear in a filtered search,” Scott said.

REA Group operates residential and commercial property websites, realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au, as well as share property platform, Flatmates.com.au, and property research website, property.com.au. The group also owns Mortgage Choice, PropTrack, and Campaign Agent.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve the search and filter functionalities on realestate.com.au. These new updates ensure an inclusive experience for all Australians as we aim to be the place where everyone can find their next home with ease," said Scott.