Housing costs force 2.3 million households to delay other bills, survey finds

Almost one in four Australians has delayed another bill during the past year to make sure their mortgage or rent was paid, according to research released by Finder on Monday.

Finder estimated the 23 per cent response represented about 2.3 million households. The result points to a wider form of housing stress than missed rent or mortgage repayments alone: households may remain up to date on housing while falling behind elsewhere.

The nationally representative survey covered 1,006 Australian adults in August 2026. It asked whether respondents had missed or delayed a bill during the previous 12 months so they could cover their mortgage or rent.

Energy bills were postponed most often

Electricity and gas were the most common expenses pushed back, nominated by 8 per cent of respondents.

Car insurance and credit card payments were each delayed by 6 per cent, while 5 per cent postponed payments for home internet, buy now pay later services or home insurance. Respondents could nominate more than one type of bill.

The figures suggest housing costs are not merely reducing discretionary spending. For a significant minority of households, they are competing with utilities, insurance and debt repayments that can carry consequences when left unpaid.

A late energy payment may lead to arrears that must be cleared from a future pay packet. Delayed credit card and buy now pay later repayments can attract fees or interest, while allowing insurance to lapse may leave a household exposed when it is least able to absorb a large unexpected cost.

Finder money expert Richard Whitten said households should contact providers and request an extension rather than simply missing payments. Early contact can give a provider an opportunity to discuss a payment plan or hardship assistance before the debt grows.

Housing stress can be hidden

Traditional measures of mortgage and rental stress commonly compare housing payments with income. Finder’s survey captures another practical sign of pressure: whether paying for housing leaves enough money to meet other obligations when they fall due.

A household that has never missed a mortgage repayment may still be under strain if it regularly postpones utilities, insurance or consumer debt. The same applies to renters who keep their tenancy payments current by accumulating arrears elsewhere.

This distinction matters for prospective buyers. A lender’s maximum approved loan does not guarantee that repayments will fit comfortably alongside irregular expenses such as insurance renewals, car repairs, medical costs and higher winter or summer power bills.

Renters considering a more expensive property also need to account for costs beyond the advertised weekly rent, including moving expenses, utilities and the possibility of future rent increases.

A snapshot rather than an arrears count

The survey does not measure how long bills were delayed, the amount owed or whether respondents later caught up. It also combines renters and mortgage holders rather than showing separate results for each group.

It should therefore be read as an indicator of cash-flow pressure, not as a count of households in default. Even so, the breadth of expenses being postponed shows why a stable rent or mortgage payment does not necessarily mean a household budget is secure.

For the property market, the finding is another warning that many buyers and tenants have limited capacity to absorb higher housing costs. That can affect how much prospective buyers bid, the homes renters can apply for and how quickly households respond to further interest rate or rent increases.

What it means for you

• Buyers should test repayments against actual household bills and unexpected costs, not only a lender’s maximum approval.
• Renters and mortgage holders struggling with several due dates should contact providers before missing a payment and ask what assistance is available.
• Keep insurance, utility and consumer-debt costs in the budget when comparing properties with different rents or repayments.
• Sellers should expect borrowing limits and tight household cash flow to keep price-sensitive buyers cautious.