Baz

Hi All,

We arrived in Brisbane a week or two ago, just to make those who are commng over aware, competition for rental properties is very tight. For some reason, demand far exeeds supply, so finding a place is tough. I get the impression, that as a result of this, there are also quite a few "cowboy" real estate agents out there, as when you effectivly have a captive market, there is not much pressure to provide good service. We have had a BIG problem because we have pets, it seems 95% of landlords just don't want pets in their houses (and we only have cats,) quite literally, as soon as we mentioned on the phone that we had cats to a few of them, they pretty much hung up! It was quite a demoralizing experience. Another thing to be aware of, is that 98% of the properties are unfurnished, and when i say unfurnished they do not even have washing machines or fridges, which is a real pain. You can however get around this, if you check out www.castlehire.com.au you can hire these things, as-well as beds, other furniture and kitchen implements. For those comming over don't be too disheartened, but just maybe budget to spend at least two to three weeks in a hotel or somehwere similar, while you are looking (and if you have pets, while they are in quarantine.) We got somewhere in end, but through a contact more than anythng else.

Apart from that, everything else is great!

P.S Consider purchasing a "Tom Tom" GPS for your car (they are brillint,) unless you want to spend valuble days driving around Brisbane in circles trying to find places!

wintersgills

Welcome to brizzy

kellyjs

I must admit I had a really bad time when I came over last year. I'm now just about to rent out my place and thought about renting it to shorter terms but think about the shoe being on the other foot, the hassle of renting to unsecure migrants must be a bit of a mare unless you charge up front! Then you feel like you are cashing in as people think you charge too much because you are asking twice the regular amount.but not thinking that this covers the lack of security , times when unrented..etc..

kellyjs

oh and then cats pixxing on the furniture, the added expense of providing white goods...you'd have to be a pretty loaded landlord to absorb that! lol soz just adding a different perspective

Urno

Yipe! We don't have any pets, so how long would you estimate it would take to find somewhere?

And does anyone have an opinion on offering 6 months rent up front? Presumably this would make you a very desirable tenant....

We're planning on two weeks holiday on Gold Coast, a month in expensive, furnished, holiday type house and in that time find somewhere for 6 months.

kellyjs

I would probs say don't offer paying up front unless you are absolutely desperate

andicee

We were rather lucky. Got into a lovely rental in Warner. It was only 4 years old and had a pool. We did pay 6 months up front but don't think it really makes a difference. Demand is so great that the agents can afford to be choosy. We used Peter Campbell in Albany Creek and they were great. Even when we broke the agreement after 3 months we got all of our dosh back minus 1 weeks rent ($360) to pay for them to re advertise.

Hiya Kell. When we having a sesh then?

Andy

TheHallidays

We arrived in Perth about 15 weeks ago, and according to the media it's even worse here, but we found somewhere through a private rental that was advertised in the local paper. You'll just have to get to the viewings first, so that you cut out any competition.

Good luck, though.

Cheers

Lee

kellyjs

Hiya Andy, well up for a session whenever you fancy! Is it my turn to come up your way or you fancy re-living the sites of Cleveland and seeing if we get refused entry again?