deb68

The system in Australia for getting a rental agreemant makes us worry. We have made three applcations now for rental properties only to be knocked back on all occasions? We have substantial funds in hand and both have qualifications for work here, we have been told we can use the holiday let owners names has reference points which gives us local credability, so why the knock backs. We have to move out of this second holiday rental friday, and we have one application pending now, but we will be homeless come friday, and will more than likely have to pursue another holiday rental.
Any ideas help kindly appreciated.

billymacker

where are you trying to rent, mandurah local papers are full of rentals, when we used to rent we never had problem renting in mandurah

ozhappy981

We took with us copies of our Aus bank statement to show we had funds in the bank. We also took with us our Aus driver's licences and UK passports.

We dressed professionally.

We had no Australian references except the existing holiday rental.

We are applied for three rentals and were accepted for all three, i.e. we could choose.

deb68

Then you are doing it differently to how we are? We have to fill forms in, in triplicate hand them over to the agents with a bond, then wait for the owner to say yes or no to whoever has applied for the house.

moneypenny20

Make friends with the real estate agents - not having them round for dinner friendly obviously, no one wants to be that buddy with them but make yourselves known, make them realise that you would be the best candidate for the properties over everyone else. It's as much their decision as the home owners, sometimes more, make sure they understand that you can pay six months rental up front if it helps you secure the property. Do the suck up thing, they like that. You don't have to mean it

haggis supper

I posted this advice in response to a similar question from someone in Sydney a few weeks ago...

Deep breaths. We had a similar experience when we arrived, astonished at the competition for places. What we found useful...

1) Get friendly with the agents - that way you may get to hear about places before or as they come onto the market. That may also allow you to explain your situation (can move in quickly; they tell landlord that you're a nice family etc) and the Agent may also be able to tell you what to do to get the place (e.g. offer $50 more or a year long contract). That worked for us.

2) Have written references with you on each visit. We had three references from friends in good positions vouching for us. As we were renting out our house in the UK we got a reference from the Agent handling our property saying we were decent folk, well maintained house, good to deal with etc. If you've sold in the UK perhaps get a reference email from your Agent. The Agents here appreciated that as it allowed them to move things along quickly.

3) Have details (phone numbers, emails addresses, bank accounts etc) of all contacts with you - bank, friends etc.

4) If you can then offer slightly more (doesn't need to be much) or a longer contract that's likely to help.

5) Be flexible on what you are looking for and the area - if you can.

6) Don't panic. We looked at over 35 places and became less fussy as we went. Also learned how to play the game. The first property is the hardest. You will find one.

Good luck.
Col

HelenTD

Our experience as a tenant
We did rent once, a few years ago, when building our new house. It was during the boom here a few years ago, so lots of interstate and overseas migrants turning up, as well as locals, and it was very competitive getting a rental. We were also appalled at the poor quality of some of the accommodation and the lack of care by the agent if we questioned something, eg if the back garden wasn't blocked off from the road. If you've got small children, you have some concerns that others wouldn't have, such as somewhere to play outside (where they're not going to get injured), steep stairs, traffic, etc. We also didn't have a rental history, as we were home owners. Yes, it was off-putting to turn up for a viewing to find about 20 other people there, but we did find a rental and stayed in it for about 2.5 years. I hated it, but there really wasn't much available at the time, but I understand what you're going through.

Our experiences as landlords
We rent out a 2 bed unit and we are also responsible for my MIL's 2 bed house. When the lease is up for renewal, viewings take place, and we might receive several applications. The real estate agent goes through them, will give us a copy if we want, and emails us a summary of the applicants. We're looking for someone who will be able to pay the rent, preferably wants a 12 month lease, and seems likely to cause us, and neighbours, as little trouble as possible. "Trouble" doesn't only mean expense in terms of fixing up things here and there, but are they going to be playing drums at night, or having loads of parties, etc. The agent might be aware that there are issues with some of the neighbours, so might want to avoid a tenant more likely to complain. It is up to the owners to decide who gets the lease, but the agent is in a position to write a summary that could make the owner lean one way or another, so you have to make a good impression. Are the kids going with you to viewings? Perhaps you might need to view on your own, or take turns nipping in and out with your OH if the kids are waiting outside (in a hot car) or in the nearby park.

For my MIL's place, there were 3 applicants: a couple wanting a 6 month lease, a single girl with small dog and a single parent with child (last 2 wanted leases for 12 months). Each time the tenant changes, we get charged 2 weeks rent, and the place might be empty for a couple of weeks while it is advertised, so a 6 month rental is not so attractive for us, so we crossed off the couple. Between the other 2 applicants, the single girl with dog would be happy with the old carpets; the single parent I felt we should replace the carpets and I was also concerned about the toddler getting out onto the road, as the back door leads to the driveway before the gate into the back garden. We were leaning in favour of the girl with dog, to avoid the cost of replacing the carpets, but I picked up that her occupation might be an issue (the agent missed that, she was just focussed on her income). In the end we decided on the single parent, who was young with no independent rental history, but his parent is also on the lease, which guarantees that the rent will be paid.

What the agent reported from the applications
Appearance ("neatly presented, appears nice")
Work - occupation and income
Description of pets, if any
If accompanied by parents, description of them too
If parent on lease, their occupation and income
Agent followed up with information missing from application

rozellem

We found, that if you are a unknown in the Aus rental market, it helps to get a letter from your UK mortgage company to state that you have not defaulted on your payments etc.

Scotty1

I don't know the rental market in Perth, but its probably pretty active. All above advice good. What you might want to ask is how many other applications are in, and if you are knocked back asked the agent why?
I am a rental agent and am actually rarely asked this once I say " we had several applications and the landlord went with another application" when if pressed I would have said - the other application was prepared to take a longer/shorter lease - or your reference didn't check out etc.
As has been said make friends and get feedback
Good luck and hope you get somewhere soon

verystormy

I also would say have a look at Mandurah. We found the process there much easier than Perth and you get a LOT more for your money. About $400 would get a new house next to the beach - maybe with a pool and its only 50 mins to Perth on the Train

hambagahle

We will be following you shortly (next month) and have similar concerns to you Debs esp as we have owned our house for the last few years so references will be a challenge (and in french) - good luck, sure it'll happen for you

Beoz

It's certainly hard work in Sydney right now. There is just too little out there for the amount of people looking for rentals. We've seen about 25 properties. We have applied for 3. 2 were accepted. Though bidding wars have seen us loose out on both occasions. I'd rather have a landlard who was satisfied with our credentials and trusted us to look after their property rather than a money hungry landlord prepared to play all procpective tenants off against each other for an extra $10 a week. Imagine the wait to get a tap washer fixed.

Starting to get an understanding of what you are looking for in the property description. Stay away from "bright and airy" and often the lounge on fits a 2 seater sofa only but looks massive its because their photographer understands trick photography.

Still .... onwards and upwards ..... I keep saying its just a matter of time and something will come along.

deb68

Hi everyone, we actually had a phone call this afternoon confirming that our last application has been approved, i would like to thank everyone who has replied and all comments are worthy of a hug and a smile from me. It has been horrible the last few days we watched the kids in the holiday lets pool, which is lovely and we talked of how great it is here, but we didn't want to scare the kids with the potential of being homeless
Now we can move on and get on with the things we moved here for, and anyone else who is in this simular position has we were, chin up the phone will ring eventually, it has for us.
Thank you again everyone, now i am off to spend O/H money on house things, all the kids are interested in is internet and tv
x

hambagahle

Great!

haggis supper

Great news. Good luck - hopefully you can start to enjoy things now !