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How to win renting game

Rent an affordable home in Australia

For a long time renting in Australia was rather affordable: not anymore! Driven by the rising property prices, within a very short time the rental market has become extremely tight, especially in capital cities. And contrary to crashing real estate markets in for example the US and Brittain, Australian rental prices have stood their ground. This means that in popular suburbs, instead of a hundred houses available for rent, you will compete for only 5-10 properties, and there may be 20 or more like you after the one property. How do you win the renting game? Here are some tips to help you find and secure the property of your choice:

Step 1: Know what you want, set your price

Housing shortages have made it increasingly difficult to get good deals on rent, pushing prices up. Especially in Sydney and Melbourne, renters have offered well above the asking rental to secure a property. While some areas are more affordable than others, be prepared to pay anything up from $275 for a nice one bedroom apartment in the capital cities. The better two bedroom apartments start from $350-$400 a week while you will struggle to get anything decent with three bedrooms under $500-$600 a week. Make sure you are clear about how much you can afford to pay. General guideline: your rent shouldn’t consume more than one third of your weekly income.

Step 2: Location

Living close to university or school is a must as travel cost have risen and: Classes are often spread out over the day/night and you can be required to attend irregular group meetings.

Step 3: Checklist: what to look out for?

  • As the southern states can get rather cold in winter, good (gas/ducted) heating is a must, as well is a functioning hot water system.
  • Air-conditioning is a big bonus as temperatures in summer can reach 40 degrees all over Australia.
  • Some houses/apartments come with a garage, do you need one?
  • Smoke detectors must be installed by the owners by law.
  • Australian properties often have a separate laundry with washer and dryer (or space for them). In many cases properties also come with a dishwasher and oven.
  • Is there a phone line and is a high speed internet connection possible (see internet {link})
  • Are you looking for a bath or shower? Bigger properties often have an ensuite (second bathroom) to the main bedroom. This can be very handy when sharing.
  • Go inside and be quiet for a while. What about the street noise level. Melbourne and Adelaide have trams, which can cause a lot of noise if next to your bedroom.

Step 4: Viewings

You will not be able to visit a home that is for rent at any time of the day. People often still live in the place and they do not want viewers to inspect their house all the time. So real estate agents organise `viewings`. Usually late in afternoon or on Saturday, you will be able to view the property for 15 minutes. It is important to make a good impression. The following tips will help you prepare:
Be sure to be on time and present yourself to the agent. Tell him or her that you love the property and ask some polite questions, so he or she will remember you later.
Dress well, as if you were doing a job interview.
Sadly, students do not have the best reputation for keeping a property proper and not causing noise. Draw up a one page `Bio` (short story about yourself) in which you tell the landlords more about yourself, that you love their house, that you will look after the property in a responsible manner, will keep up the garden en keep noise levels down etc.
Australian Agents are allowed to ask you to provide proof of private information like income and debt records. Take the following documents with you to a viewing: your driver's license or passport (plus copy), copies of your latest pay slips and bank statements, a letter of recommendation from your employer, references from previous landlords or property agents, electricity or phone accounts in your name from previous addresses, character references etc.
You will need to provide at least two (or more) phone numbers of trusted references. As it is best if they are Australians, it may be and idea to ask your teacher, doctor or boss. The agent will call these people, so make sure they speak English and are informed about them being references.
Be prepared to make a quick decision about a property and ask for an application form on the spot. Remember it is better to fill out the form properly than to haste it, so take some time but make sure to deliver it the same, or the next day, at the agent’s office.
Always be honest on your application form.
Call the agent the following day or two days after to find out how your application is progressing.

Step 5: Contracts and legal stuff

Usually lease contracts run for a year. Australian landlords can end the contract or prolong (with rent raise) after the end of the term. If your application is accepted, do not sign anything until you have checked the Tenancy Agreement contract. Make sure you understand all its terms and conditions, especially about what costs might be incurred if you break your agreement early. Visit the Office of Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs website in your State to download information on Tenant’s Rights and Bonds. You will generally have to pay your rent in advance and provide a bond of around 4 week’s rent (you will need a bond cheque from bank or post office). This will be lodged with the Rental Bonds office in your state and will be refunded when you leave unless there is damage to the property or money outstanding.

Step 6: Inspect the property

Before you move into the property, do an entry inspection. Take a camera with you on this inspection. Keep a copy of these photos and the completed Inventory and Condition Report to check against on your departure. Keep a record of any conversations you have with your real estate property management agent – dates and a brief outline of what was discussed. This can help in any future dispute or misunderstanding.
 

 

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tobifree said:

Does anyone think that Australians are racist, when it comes to selecting a housemate?

Because......... an African-American international student friend of mine was looking for a share house and she couldn't find a place for nearly three months.  Every place she went to either never called back or told her that they had found someone else.

She finally managed to find a share place with a Nigerian man and when she moved in, the man asked her for sexual favours within a week of moving in, so she left..........

Fri, 27/03/2009 - 13:52