Could anyone please let me know what the general process is with renting a house in OZ ? We're heading to the Wollongong area and have a cat in tow.

I've heard from some places that you HAVE to rent a flat for a minimum of 6 months and for a house that minimum goes up to a year ! Surely this isn't the case ???

Also is there any good advice out there about taking things with us to make the rental process as smooth as possible ? People have said in the past to take references from previous rentals in the UK but we haven't rented for years - do mortgage companies give references ?

I'm just a tad concerned we're going to experience difficulties when we arrive & I don't fancy shelling out hand over fist to stay in serviced accomodation for ages....

Take the last couple of years of mortgage statements - they don't do references but if you can show you've paid a mortgage on time then that will go in your favour.

Most places want you to sign for at least 6mths, if not a year. I only got my agents to agree to 6mths because I told them I wasn't 100% sure I would still be in Oz then.

Best thing to do is check out domain.com.au and realestate.com.au to see current listings. Then, email the agent about them. If you're lucky, they'll let you see it asap. However, most places just have a 15minute viewing on a Saturday, where the world & his wife turns up.

If you like the place, ask the agent (who will be at the viewing) for an application form. Fill it in asap and return it to the agent.

They then send the details (incl personal/business references) to the landlord and the landlord chooses which applicant they like the sound of.

You may have problems finding a place that accepts a cat - but ask the agents really.

We were fairly lucky. Found a flat to rent after 10 days in Oz - BUT, I wasn't working (DH was) so I could go to viewings during the week. We moved into the flat on 10 March and I flew back to the UK for 4weeks just 2 days later lol.

Hope that helps a bit

TillyG

Thanks Tilly.

Unfortunately that information doesn't ease my worries one bit, but at least I can prepare as much as possible now.

Thanks again.

Hi, what part of Wollongong are you looking at? We are headed to the same area, looking to live around Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul etc... Anywhere North of Wollongong.

I've looked at tons of houses on Realestate.com.au and domain.com.au, there seems to be plenty out there, so I wouldnt stress too much.

As Tilly suggested, we are going to take our mortgate statements and we are also going to ask the bank for a reference to verify we pay on time (not sure if they will do it though). We are also putting a bit of cash aside so we can offer a few months rent in advance.

Good luck with the search, when do you plan to move?

Hey Anastasia

We're going to spend the first few weeks of May in Fairy Meadow but we're not sure as to where we'll be staying after that. We thought we'd just get there, buy a car and visit the areas that rental properties are in to get a feel for them. We had thought of attempting to rent online to get a pad ready for when we arrived but then we realised we could possibly be roped into renting a nice looking house on a very bad street/area for at least 6 months.

Should be flying out on the 30th April as long as the house completion date comes through before then. If not we'll be out there a fortnight after it does.

Woonona, Bulli, Thirroul eh ? Heard they're very nice. I fancy Coniston to be near the town centre, but I'm sure our views on things will change when we get out there.

Did you do a reccie trip ?