Renting a Home in Australia

The property rental market in Australia, especially in inner city areas, is highly volatile and prospective tenants are expected to act fast. The following steps outline the process. The renting market can be broadly divided by the duration of lease. This article covers long term accommodation rentals that are 6 months or more in duration.  Getting a rental for less than 6 months  could be more difficult and has specialised service providers in most cases (See Short Term Accommodation in Australia) and for Shared accommodation see (Shared Accommodation in Australia)

Identify an Area

Most Australian cities, specially metros are horizontally spread and suburbs could extend to more than 50 kilometers from the center of the city. It is important to choose an area for living based on the proximity to the place of work. Rentals usually increase as you move closer to the center, however could be offset by the public transport costs.

Other thing to note is the proximity to shopping areas and schools. Most public schools in Australia provide admissions to children residing in a defined school zone. This means that if there is a particular public school individuals want to send their children to, they may have to pick up a property in its school district. If using public transport to get to school/work, then look for public transport stops too.

Search for a Rental Property

• Online listings: Websites such as realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, and rent.com.au offer extensive listings.
• Property agents: You can also visit local real estate agencies that handle rental properties in your area.
• Local newspapers: Some rentals may also be listed in print, especially in regional areas.
• Social media: Sometimes people share rental properties on Facebook Marketplace or local community groups.

Each property listing is supported by images of the property, rent and other relevant details that assist in shortlisting.

The Rent

Most agents will advertise the rent on a weekly basis, however it is to be paid on a monthly basis. To calculate the monthly rent multiply the weekly rent by 52 and then divide the result by 12. Rents in Australia are inclusive of the agent fees, council charges and any other society/strata charges, however its best to confirm this with the agent. Utilities and other charges like phone/internet etc have to be paid by the tenant.

Property Inspection

The next step is to book an inspection time with the agent who has listed the property. Some agents hold open viewings or open houses, or in some cases you may have to book an appointment for inspection by contacting the agent. Details for booking times and such arrangements are displayed on the property listings.

Any questions regarding the property can be clarified from the agent at this time. Inspections windows can be as small as 15 minutes and may have many people touring the property at the same time.

It’s illegal for an agent to rent a property without the tenant having viewed it first.

Rental Application

After choosing a home the next step is to put in an application for the property. Applications are submitted formally and could be paper based or online. Since inspections can be can be competitive, its best to be prepared, and bring all the papers necessary to put in an application on the spot. Once an application for the property has been put, the agent and owner would review and approve those. An application does not ensure that one can rent the property as there may be more than one application at a time.

You will need several documents to apply for a rental:

• Identification: Passport, driver’s license, or Medicare card.
• Proof of income: Payslips, bank statements, or tax returns.
• Rental history: If you’ve rented before, having references from previous landlords is helpful.
• Cover letter: A brief letter explaining why you’re interested in the property and your rental history.

Reinspect and Sign the Condition Report

Once the application is successfully approved, tenants should reinspect the home and sign a condition report. This records the general condition of the property, on a room-by-room basis, including fittings, fixtures and any existing damages. This report must be filled out with as much detail and accuracy as possible. The report will be a key piece of evidence at the end of the tenancy and would be a deciding factor for the Bond Refund. Some real estate agents will also document a video recording of the place for future references if needed.

Before signing the condition report, take photos to avoid disputes over damage when you move out. It’s also a good practice to share these photos with the real estate agent.

Lease Agreement

Lease agreements in Australia usually confirm to a standard format. Duration of lease agreements could vary from 6 months to an year, after which they must be renewed. Some owners allow the renewal of the lease agreement after the initial term on a monthly basis. They should be simple to understand and offer fair and equal protection to tenant and Landlord. Usually, a refundable bond amount of 4 to 6 weeks has to be paid along with the signing of lease agreement. This bond amount is refunded back to the tenant when the property is vacated. As per the condition report signed earlier if there are any additional damages to the property a portion of the bond amount may be deducted for repairs. You may also need to pay the first installment of rent, which is often due before moving in.

Ensure you understand the terms, including the rent amount, lease duration, and any rules about maintenance, utilities bills, pets, parking and subletting.

Move in

Once the lease is signed, the bond is paid, and the first rent is settled, you can move in. Ensure you have utility accounts set up for water, electricity, and internet if needed.

Depending upon whether a furnished or unfurnished property was taken, tenants may need to set it up. Please visit Buying Furniture in Australia for more details.