Look Before You Lease: Hot tips on finding accommodation

Monday, 23 Nov 2015
By Yang Nicky

Finding a suitable and nice place to rent is always important, but the process is not always easy and quick if you are inexperienced.

Fortunately, the internet makes it convenient for us and gives experienced tenants a chance to share their knowledge with the rest of us. Below are stories about finding accommodation from a few Brisbane Latin Americans followed by tips and tricks to find rentals.

Juan is a 23 year old University international student from Colombia who has been in Brisbane for a few years.

He found it was quite useful to look for available houses from websites; he found his house in Dutton Park from the website his University offered. He is very happy with the house and his housemates.

Location was the most important factor for him to consider when he made the decision, as it would allow him to get home safe and faster. Also,

he had inspected a few houses before he made the final decision, and he kept checking the houses to see which one was best in both environment and price. He feels that housemates are another important factor to consider when selecting. Fortunately, by showing his friendly and understanding personality, he got along very well with his housemates.

Gabriel is an international student studying engineering at UQ in Brisbane, and he found his house from personal contacts. He believes people can go beyond their comfort zone and accept challenges with an open mind, therefore he did not look for houses until his arrival. He started hunting a few hours after he got into UQ and found his international student house from new friends. With a brave heart and a willingness to make friends, he achieved the goal. In addition, he realised being himself and respecting people’s limitations are valuable characteristics in getting along well with different housemates.

Before you start

It is worth getting to knowing the local culture when you arrive in a new country or city, not only to avoid breaking the law, but also just to keep out of trouble.  So what’s necessary to know about renting a place in Australia? The AUSTAY Accommodation website clearly suggests a series of things we should be aware of.

• Half to one year rent term.
• Bond must be paid prior to the time you move in.
• Rent must be paid in advance, usually half to one month before.
• The contract is between you and the owner if you are renting a house or a flat.
• The accommodation is shared between you and other tenants.

Where to look

There are so many ways you can find new information about available accommodation in Australia, but there are three common ways are highly recommended.

Personal contact

This is very common way to hunt for a place to live. It is great to live with someone you already know; it’s better than living with strangers, and probably make you less worried. They can be your friends, classmates or colleagues. The spread of the news of seeking new accommodation can sometimes surprise you.

Websites

There are a number of websites you can browse to find a nice and comfortable place. Websites usually provide you with the latest news and up-to-date information. It’s free and quick to seek for information.

Agencies

Property agents are very helpful if you want to take time to hunt the best for you. They provide you with the latest news about available accommodation and they give you the chance to inspect houses, as well as giving you personalised advice.

Phone Applications

Some companies take advantage of mobile phone applications. There are special apps for people looking for rentals. It is easy to access the app, and you can check the latest information frequently. There is not much you need to do, apart from checking your phone when free.

Accommodation websites:

http://www.realestate.com.au/rent

http://www.property.com.au/rent

http://www.century21.com.au/sitemap/real-estate/rent/houses/qld/brisbane/

http://www.calibrerealestate.com.au/renting/search-rentals/

http://www.rent.com.au/properties/brisbane-qld-4000/p2

How to find

There are tips and tricks for finding accommodation.

1. Research

Make sure you do it weeks or a month before you move. Do some research about the suburbs where you desire to live. You need to know what is available for you at that time, the average price and the facilities which are most suitable for you. You need to browse different websites and take notes for the ones you like. Also, you can make a list

2. Contact

Contact the person who offered the information. You don’t want to miss out on the houses you like, so contact them as soon as possible. You can introduce yourself to them and get to know more information about the houses. If you think that is what you want, you can schedule a date with them for inspection.

3. Inspection

You need to make sure you know about the house you inspect, so ask as many questions as you want; there is nothing to be afraid of. Maybe you can bring your friends with you. They could offer some opinions from a different perspective, which could be valuable to your final decision making.

4. Making a Decision

Having problems with decision making? There is always a solution. You might need to consider what is most essential for you. Location, transport, housemates, your budget and surrounding facilities are all things you need to consider in terms of your own situation. Write them down in a notebook and analyse both the advantages and disadvantages.

5. Submitting the Application Form

Bring along your ID, personal references, bank statements, bond and so on, so that you can sign the lease easily and quickly.

Now, you can get started 

Typical Queenslander in Australia (Creative comment license).