Renting

If you are immigrating to Australia, it is often advisable to look at renting before buying, as even if you have spent time in Australia previously, living and holidaying here are two different things. Also, by renting, you get to know a neighbourhood well and it gives you time to properly find a home in an area you know you like. Plus, should you decide that Australia is not for you, it makes it easier to move back home, without the ties and complications of owning a property here.

Generally speaking, rental accommodation is limited in Australian cities, and this is because there is huge demand for lettings. The cost of rental accommodation has also risen astronomically in the past few years, so be prepared for this.

Choosing where to live

As for where you want to live in Australia and where you look at renting, this will depend on a number of factors:

• Your job
• Amenities
• Transport and travel
• Budget
• Proximity to schools/childcare
• Proximity to beach/shops/city centre

Finding a property

Once you’ve established if you want to be coastal or inland, close to schools or shops etc, the next step is to start doing some research. The most important factor in this is obviously your budget, so you need to pin down exactly how much you can spend.

In terms of where to start looking, there are a number of handy websites that can give you a good idea of what’s out there:

• Domain – the key to your property dreams
• realestate.com.au
• rentahome

By searching these websites and the internet, you’ll also get a good idea of the estate agents out there who deal in your area. Once you’ve established, where, how much and what type of property you’re looking for, you can also start enquiring directly with estate agents. If you give them a detailed idea of what you’re looking for, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction and show you some properties.

Securing tenancy

Once you’ve identified some places of interest, you can start to arranging viewings. If you find somewhere you like, you can either put down a deposit which will take it off the market straightaway, or you can take an application form to allow you to submit an application to rent the property.

A tenancy application form requires you to fill in your personal details and also prove that you can meet the rent, so be aware that you will need some proof of income behind you, otherwise you may struggle to secure a rental property.

Once you have found and applied for a property, you will be required to put down a bond  – essentially a damage deposit. Be aware that in most cases, properties come unfurnished, and unless otherwise stated, your landlord will pay for the services i.e. water and sewage.

Generally tenancy agreements range from between 6-12 months. If you’re not 100% sure on the area, try and secure the minimum rental possible, as Aussie rental contracts are notoriously difficult to get out of.