British Expats - Moved in dec having a rough time already

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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)

- Australia (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/)

- - Moved in dec having a rough time already (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/moved-dec-having-rough-time-already-703708/)

singinintherain

Feb 4th 2011 9:40 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyaus (Post 9150589)

Hi

We moved to Sydney in Dec and its turning into a nightmare. We are trying to find somewhere to live and the problem is with 15+ people going for any decent property we don't seem to be high on the application list with no credit history here. We even offered to pay 6 months in advance and were declined.

Also each application required submission of bank records/passports etc - a little worried about submitting these to different estate agents.

Any advice on how to get around this?

Thanks

An agent told me recenly that you should never be put off by the number of people turning up for a viewing, apparently they often get loads of people turning up and so everyone thinks that there is no point in submitting an application and so don't bother - the result is that they often get very few applications. It sounds like it may be worthwhile just applying for pretty much everything..

Steve2009

Feb 4th 2011 10:47 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by singinintherain (Post 9152999)

I meant to post this but I don't think I did. It doesn't really matter how many people are at the inspection. Plenty will be tyre kickers, plenty won't be interested and plenty like freebo will submit speculative applications.

rocket01

Feb 4th 2011 11:59 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

There are always people here in cairns trying to get out there lease for whatever reason and advertise in the local paper for people intrested in taking over the lease, maybe you could look more into this way, at least getting your foot in the door.

Margaret3

Feb 4th 2011 1:25 pm

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by haggis supper (Post 9150629)

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 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

Coudnt agree more, it was a nightmare, but as haggis says, i think one of the most important things is get friendly with the agent, and try to have all your stuff ready for submission the moment you walk into a place.

paulry

Feb 4th 2011 5:02 pm

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Some EAs wont hand out forms until you've had a viewing

bra_boy

Feb 4th 2011 5:25 pm

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

At this time of year, vacancies are low in Sydney due to demand from students who start university in February.

Steve2009

Feb 4th 2011 6:02 pm

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulry (Post 9153576)

Some EAs wont hand out forms until you've had a viewing

Forms aren't specific to properties? How do they manage this?

77hil

Feb 5th 2011 12:07 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Also the area makes a difference. We're up in Epping near Sydney and I got the impression that applying for a place here was nowhere near the nightmare that some were having round areas like Bondi.

paulry

Feb 5th 2011 1:15 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve2009 (Post 9153620)

Forms aren't specific to properties? How do they manage this?

I agree, but more than one EA that we visited refused to give us a form until the viewing. Which we then scanned, filled in the generic information, scanned again and then printed out as many times as we needed it. In other words their approach only had its desired effect once,

Steve2009

Feb 5th 2011 1:20 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Sounds like messed up EA logic. That's nuts.

freebo

Feb 5th 2011 7:08 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve2009 (Post 9153620)

Forms aren't specific to properties? How do they manage this?

They are specific to EA's though.

I found dealing with EA's maddening when we first arrived, most simply don't care, they have such an easy job renting a lot of these places out that they just wait for the punters to come to them and don't return calls or do anything beyond the bare necessities of opening a place for 15mins and collecting forms.

Come the revolution, they'll be first up against the wall (copyright Citizen Smith, circa 1970).

riccardo1888

Feb 5th 2011 8:38 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Where are you staying while looking for a rental ?

Red_V_Roger

Feb 5th 2011 3:15 pm

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyaus (Post 9150589)

Sutherland and around is a popular and nice place to live - that's why we are here!

We too had the same problem 3 1/2 years ago when we moved over and were trying to find a place in The Shire.

Set up alerts on Domain.com.au and realestate.com.au - then check your e-mail every morning. Some times new properties come up with mid-week viewings at funny times. if you can get time off work and get a long, often there are a lot less people that go to these mid-week openings and you stand a better chance of getting in.

Don't forget you need to stand out to be the one they will pick if there are multiple applicants. Put together a good quality dossier of all available info - passports, bank statements, visa grants, if you owned or rented a house before information about that house, etc.

Go to the viewings reasonably dressed and professional looking.

You will get there in the end!

rackcatt

Feb 7th 2011 9:43 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

This is a great thread!!
Loads of info, one thing im struggling with is without a job, two kids etc
How do you guys that don't have a job and have a family decide where to set up home ??
I just don't know where to look for a rental!!!
State Sponsorship for VIC OH is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer i look at places like Mornington, people say to far away for work, Point Cook maybe ?
Then i looked at Broadmeadows, close to Airport etc, people say don't live there.....im spending my life just reading everything on expats!!!:eek:

freebo

Feb 7th 2011 10:39 am

Re: Moved in dec having a rough time already

Quote:

Originally Posted by rackcatt (Post 9159947)

Most folk arrange temp/furnished holiday rental to use for the first few weeks until they find where they want to rent.

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