short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

Got one reply back for rental of a furnished place for when we arrive, that not only do they want the 4wks rental paid up front (fair enough), also want the same amount for 'security' deposit and another $500 for 'incidental' deposit.

I was expecting deposits for when we go somewhere for 6 or 12mths+, but 2 deposits for a short term place that charges a premium for being short term seem a bit much, especially an issue when we can't view the unit before we arrive.

So is it normal, or are they taking the mickey? :confused:

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

yes of course it is - you can just as easily trash their place as you can somewhere you live for six months so they want a bond incase you break furniture, bugger off without paying rent, etc.

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

Never paid a bond on holiday lets anywhere in OZ.

Qld has a system where landlords can charge 4 weeks bond money on long lets, but its not kept by the landlord it HAS to be lodged with a gov dept. Think its called the RTA our RE agency manages it all for us.

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

Hi

I have a holiday Rental, and I normally ask for 50% deposit to hold the booking, the remainder to be paid in cash on the day you move in, along with $250.00 security deposit, which is given back the day you move out minus any losses, ie if you lose the keys, break anything big etc etc

HTH

K

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

hardly going to leave not paying the rent as clearly said in the post that is paid up front :rolleyes: Stayed in an apartment before in Oz with no deposit, places with small deposit (like kimi mentions) but never $3k.

Plus aware of regulations re holding of deposits but unsure if the same applied to short lets. Thus my thoughts if it was taking the mickey, especially given that it is through an estate/real agent

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

Hi

Can I ask whereabouts in Oz this is, and what realestate agent you are using??

K

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

sorry I was thinking of places like Seqrents.com.au short term 'corporate' type furnished - not a 2 week holiday place. We certainly found most of those wanted bonds.

Even a 2 week holiday place would typically want some guarantee against breakages.

At the end of the day - if they ask for it its tough they want it. Or find somewhere else.

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

There are plenty of us out there that dont require any of this. We have always attracted the type of people who look after our places. We even had some people leave $2 because they broke the base of a disposable cup. Suzette and Will at Cedar Cottage

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

I'm still concerned with the bond issue, before we came out there was some threads about bonds not being given back, agents saying the house needed this and that doing to it even though the tenant said there was nothing wrong. Well a lad i work with has just had this happen to him with prd saying they are keeping $1800 bond money for all the work they have had to do to the house and he insists that the house was left in the same condition as when they moved into it.

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

The RTA was set up with the intent of stopping that sort of thing, dont know how successful its been.

So when you move in do a condition report, note every crack flaw hole you get the idea, take photos etc.

When leaving a tenancy report is done and as long as there is no damage the RTA refund the money, after more paperwork of course.

If theres a dispute the money is not with the landlord its with the RTA, if things cant be agreed on it can go as far as court, and there a decision is made who gets what portion of the deposit money according to the damage.

If your mates deposit was lodged as required by law, then he should have plenty of comeback and a hearing as above.

Doesnt matter if its a private landlord , that is not agent , they still have to lodge the bond with RTA.

As said before not sure where you stand with short lets, theres loads of info on the RTA website tho and contact nos just do a google search.

Re: short term rentals - is it normal for a deposit?
 

hi karen,
a couple of years ago this happened to a poster on here (cant remember who or i would find the post!)
As a consequence, what im going to do is insist on an inspection with the estate agent when we move in - go over EVERYTHING with them...and the golden piece of advice is to VIDEO THE INSPECTION!! keep a copy and give the estate agent a copy - then any discrepancy can be argued with hard evidence. Just make sure you go over the place with a fine tooth comb, make a note of ANY problem (like a loose door handle, a chip in the shower basin etc) then point it all out whilst being videoed, and get the agent to state he has seen this, its been noted, and what the consequences of it being loose/damaged are (ie are they gonna fix it?).
Dont worry that they will think you are some kind of control freak/perfectionist/picky pom.....at the end of the day, a couple of grand is a LOT of money when you are setting up your new life.

sue :D