HOUSE rents in Perth remained steady in the September quarter, in line with most other state capitals, while rents for units fell 6 per cent, according to figures from Australian Property Monitors. Perth’s median weekly rent for houses was unchanged from the June quarter at $350, with year-on-year growth of 13 per cent. Median rents for units slid back to $330 per week, from $350 in June, representing annual growth of 10 per cent. However, gross rental yields remained higher in Perth (16 per cent in the year to September) than in any other capital, well above both Darwin (9 per cent) and Sydney (8 per cent). Nationally, house rents remained flat in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, with marginal growth of 2 per cent in Sydney. First homebuyer warning over federal grant WESTERN Australia’s commissioner of state revenue issued a warning last week to first homebuyers who are looking to take advantage of the increased grants unveiled by the federal government. The warning came as first homebuyers contemplate replacing an existing contract to buy or build a home with a new one dated on or after October 14 to access the federal government’s First Home Owner ‘Boost’ scheme.