Choosing a home to rent is rarely easy. First, you need to find one that fits your budget and lifestyle. And then there’s the small matter of negotiating a suffocatingly busy open for inspection. 

Pause to consider how little time each inspection gives you to look around a property, too, and you begin to understand just how difficult the search for a suitable rental can be.

But that’s just how it is. Which is why we came up with this simple checklist of things to look for in a rental property, before signing the lease.

Make sure you don’t overlook the basics during a rental inspection.

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1. Assess the security

Have a look for deadlocks, window locks and other security features. The level of security can make a huge impact on the cost of your insurance.

Before the inspection, make sure to check with your insurance company what security features would impact your policy, so that you know exactly what to look out for while you’re there.

Essentials: What first time renters need to know

2. Look for storage options

Storage can be expensive to buy – especially if, later on, you move to a home that doesn’t need it.

While walking around your potential new rental, look for places where you would store your bike, snowboard, or book collection, and ask yourself, “is there enough internal and external storage for all my important items?”

Also think about whether there is enough pantry space, linen space and areas to store cumbersome cleaning items such as brooms and vacuum cleaners.

Make sure that the property has enough storage to meet your needs. Picture: Kim Oliver/Inside Room

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3. Check overall cleanliness

A lot of rental properties will likely be leased out in the same condition in which you inspect them.

So, if there’s lots of junk in the shed, and the garden needs weeding, ask the agent if these issues will be addressed before the move-in date.

4. Find out about heating

Ask the agent what heating and cooling systems the property has, find out the specific rooms in which these technologies are available, and make sure that they all work.

Should you detect an issue, enquire if and when it will be addressed.

5. Measure the space

Don’t be afraid to whip out a tape measure at the open for inspection, as this is the best way to work out if your prized dining table and antique bed can fit through the door of your potential new home.

Use a measuring tape to make sure there’s enough space for your favourite pieces of furniture.

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6. Check the positions of power points

The location of the television antenna, power points, telephone and Foxtel outlets will likely impact how you can lay out your home.

So, make sure that you’re happy with their positioning.

7. Check there’s enough room for white goods

Check that there is space in the kitchen for your fridge, for your dishwasher, and for any other appliances that you like to set out on the bench.

See if your washing machine and dryer will fit in the laundry, too, or enquire if they come with the property. If you like to drip dry your clothes, work out whether the laundry provides enough space for that.

8. Don’t forget the garden

Ask whether the apartment or house comes with a gardener. If it doesn’t, have a look in the garden to see what kind of maintenance it requires.

If you happen to have a green thumb and want to set up a veggie garden, ask if you would be able to do that, too.

Don’t forget to inspect the property’s garden. If it’s an apartment, ask whether a gardener is included in the rent. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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9. Ask about gas and electricity

Do you prefer gas or electricity?

This really is a personal choice. Some people prefer gas cooking, while others prefer induction hobs.

Whichever your preference, make sure you find out what’s available.

Other things to consider

• Does the property have roller doors or shutters? Check whether they are electronic or manual.

• If the property comes with car parking, find out exactly how many spaces. If it doesn’t, look at the local parking signage to work out whether you’d need a permit.
• If in doubt about anything, ask the agent. Avoid making assumptions, as this may lead to headaches later on.

This article was originally published on
19 Aug 2019 at 9:00am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

Most renters understand that if they seriously damage their property or don’t pay the rent, it’s not going to end well for them. 

But did you know that if you fail to comply with the terms of your lease, you could be listed on a national database that potential landlords can check at any time?

That’s right: landlords have the power to ‘blacklist’ you, which can impact on your ability to be approved for rental properties in the future.

What does it mean if you are blacklisted?

If you are blacklisted it means your name has been placed on a database, which provides information and rental history to landlords.

This list is reserved for serious breaches of a tenancy agreement, including but not limited to unpaid rent and malicious property damage.

The tenant databases are run by private companies who collect information about renters and share it with landlords for a fee. Most real estate agents also subscribe to at least one of these databases.

The largest tenant and public record database is the National Tenancy Database (NTD).

Used for both residential and commercial property, the NTD contains basic tenant information, such as public record and tenant history files. Landlords use the NTD to assess the reliability of a potential tenant when reviewing a rental application.

Renters: 8 tips for a winning rental application

How long will I be blacklisted for?

Once blacklisted a tenant can remain on a database for three years before the information must be removed.

However, you can dispute the reference at anytime if the information is inaccurate or there is a change of circumstances.

For example, if someone is listed for not paying their rent the list must be altered to reflect the tenant has settled the debt once it is paid.

How can I find out if I’ve been blacklisted?

A property manager will check to see if you’re listed on a tenancy database before giving the green light to your tenancy application. If they find out that you’re blacklisted, they should let you know within seven days, and provide you with information on which agent listed you, as well as their reasons for doing so. 

You can then ask the agent who listed you to provide the information the database holds on you. They are obliged to provide this information free of charge, within 14 days.

Alternatively, you can find out whether you’ve been blacklisted by contacting the databases directly. Most of the companies, however, charge a fee for providing this information.

Tenants who are blacklisted can face challenges finding a new rental.

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How do I get off the database?

It is best for renters to avoid being blacklisted in the first place, however once on a database there are several steps to take to fix the situation.

Firstly, you must rectify any of the issues such as paying outstanding debts.

Once the issue has been fixed, you can write to the real estate agent or landlord asking them to remove the listing and they are required to contact the database, who will take action within 14 days.

If no changes are made or you believe the initial listing is unlawful you can apply to your state tribunal to review the case.

It is not recommended you contact the database company directly.

As a renter, what else should I know?

Persa Kapsali, a department manager at Ray White Southbank, says it’s not only landlords who lodge complaints with the NDT; utility providers can also blacklist problem customers.

“I’ve come across some renters that haven’t paid phone bills for months and months. And if you can’t afford to pay your phone bill, you’ll struggle to pay rent.”

However, things have to be pretty extreme for a third party to lodge a complaint. The amount you owe a landlord – in rental payments or damages – must exceed the amount of your bond.

If a landlord or utility provider intends to list you on one of the tenancy databases, they must advise you in writing, or at least make a reasonable attempt to advise you, before doing so.

Once you’ve received a letter of intent, Kapsali says there are a few things you can do to stop your name being added to the database.

“If a potential landlord tells you that you’ve been blacklisted, you can take steps to remove or change the listing by paying the amount you owe,” she says.

“If the amount you owe is paid within three months of the due date, you are eligible to have your name removed from the database. If you take longer than three months to pay what you owe, your listing can be changed to ‘inaccurate’ but it can’t be removed.”

As a landlord, why should I use the database?

As of 2016, a NTD tenant check cost $13.98.

In Kapsali’s eyes, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind – especially when you’re not quite sure about a potential tenant.

“At the end of the day, your property is your investment, and for $14, a NTD tenant check is definitely worth it,” she says.

“It would be ideal if everyone used it. To have all agencies working together to protect landlords would be great.”

Landlords: How to deal with property damage

Kapsali says a lot of the tenants on the database are repeat offenders, but most tenants do the right thing.

“We manage around 2300 properties in Melbourne’s inner north, and we might lodge one or two complaints a year.”

Main Photo: Kate Hunter

This article was originally published on
19 Sep 2019 at 9:00am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

For many, the end-of-lease clean can feel like an insurmountable hurdle before getting their bond back.

But it needn’t be like that, according to Delah Gomasi, director of Sydney-based cleaning service Maidforyou.com.au.

Here are his top tips for getting a rental clean once it’s time to move out.

Regularly cleaning throughout your lease is the best way to prepare for the end-of-lease clean. Picture: rawpixel/Unsplash

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Plan ahead

Just as cramming all your studying into the night before a test leads to substandard results, cleaning your entire rental property in one fell swoop is a recipe for disaster.

If you’re planning on cleaning the property yourself then leave enough time to do a thorough job before needing to hand the keys back to the property manager. This can also often mean needing to return to the property to re-clean anything the property manager deems not clean enough.

If you’re instead choosing to hire professionals then book them early to ensure they have enough time to finish the job before the final day of the tenancy.

Clean room by room

Regularly cleaning throughout your tenancy will go a long way towards simplifying your end-of-lease clean. But even then, you’ll still need to put in some elbow grease before you move out.

To reduce the chance of feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand, Gomasi suggests cleaning one room at a time.

“We start from the back of the house and move towards the front door. That way, we know that everything’s been taken care of,” he says.

You should get your full bond back if you leave the property in the same condition as when you moved in. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Be thorough

Cleaning the floors and walls is a good place to start, but you’ll need to do much more to recover your bond.

Pay extra attention to kitchen appliances and other areas that may be overlooked as part of a regular household cleaning schedule. And don’t forget to sweep and mop outside. 

“As much as you can, you need to get rid of dust in all areas – inside cabinets and skirting boards especially,” says Gomasi.

“If you do the outside windows as well, you’re going to save a lot of money if you decide to hire professionals because the outside is expensive to clean.”

Don’t forget to clean the deck. Picture: Erinna Giblin

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Checklist: end of lease cleaning

Depending on which state you’re in you’ll know this as a ‘bond clean’ or ‘vacate clean’ checklist.

Jump to each section:

Kitchen

Cooking areas

Wipe down all surfaces, removing all traces of food and spills.

Oven

Store-bought chemical cleaners will remove the toughest grease, simply follow the instructions on the can. If you prefer a more planet-friendly option, use baking soda added with water to create a paste.

Clean oven racks too. 

Rangehood/extractor fan

Remove any oil marks, clean rangehood filters and ensure the light is working.

Sinks

Remove food from the drain and clean taps and water spout.

Benches

Wipe down all surface areas and walls.

Dishwasher

Clean inside, including all racks and rubbers. Remove food from the filter and rinse.

Refrigerator

Pull out and clean behind and underneath.

Cupboards

Empty and wipe out. 

Clean the kitchen thoroughly once it’s time to leave your rental. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Inside

Walls

Using sugar soap wipe down all walls. Scrub off marks and fix dents or holes and repaint if necessary, remove cobwebs from corners.

Sugar soap is the best to remove marks on walls. Simply add to a bucket of water and use a non-abrasive cloth to wash the entire wall and scrub the darker marks. To fix dents use wall putty. Allow it to dry for several hours before sanding and repainting. Take a small piece of the existing paint to the store to make sure the colour is a perfect match. Larger holes can also be fixed using putty and self-adhesive mesh from your local hardware store.

Windows and mirrors

Clean all windows and doors inside and out. Be sure to clean in the window tracks and blinds.

Clean with washing detergent and dry before finishing off with glass cleaner. Use newspaper to wipe off glass cleaner as this will minimise streaks, leaving your windows and mirrors sparkling.

Use a wet cloth to wipe blinds to avoid spreading dust before washing the window. If cleaning outside windows it is recommended to wash them with soapy water first. Blinds should be wiped with a wet cloth to remove dust before you clean the windows.

Cupboards and drawers

Empty and wipe clean.

Ledges

Wipe clean all ledges including, windows, skirting boards, top of doors, sliding door tracks.

Fly screens

Remove wash and put back.

Lights

Clean all light switches and lights, and replace non-working bulbs.

Extras

Any appliance or furniture that was provided, should be cleaned and left in the condition they were received in.

Floors

Vacuum or sweep floors before mopping and steam clean carpets.

Bathrooms and laundry 

Mirrors

Clean all mirrors and remove wipe marks.

Toilet

Scrub and disinfect including under the seat and around the outside of the bowl.

When leaving a rental you can also clean inside the toilet tank. For a simple clean or to remove mineral deposits, pour some vinegar into the cistern and leave overnight before flushing. However, if more effort is required turn off the water to the toilet and drains the tank by flushing repeatedly.

Put on gloves and clean the empty tank with bleach or a commercial cleaner. Turn the water back on and fill the tank before flushing cold water through the system until the chemicals are cleared.

Shower

Clean glass, taps and shower head, remove mould from grout, mop floor and allow the area to dry.

Use shower foam or vinegar paste to scrub soap scum from the glass. An old toothbrush will help scrub mould from grout and to clean in other hard-to-reach places. make sure to scrub the drain and remove hair. If using chemicals remember to turn on a fan.

Basin

Clean the basin and drain, and wipe down all bench tops, wall tiles and taps.

Extras

Wipe down soap holders, towel rails, toilet paper holders and ceiling fan.

Here are even more tips for cleaning bathrooms including steps for making your own eco-friendly cleaning solutions.

Wipe down vanities and cabinets. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Outside

Yard

Mow lawn, weed garden, trim trees, sweep paved areas.

Bins

Add household detergent or disinfectant to a bucket of hot water and scrub using an abrasive cloth. Alternatively, for an environmentally-friendly option pour several cups of vinegar into the bin and add hot water. Allow it to soak for several hours before scrubbing. Leave them turned upside down in the sun to dry.

Patios

Clean and hose down all outside verandas or decks, remove spiderwebs and clean any appliances including barbecues. 

Windows

Clear cobwebs, wash and dry.

Pets

Clean any animal mess and repair any damage.

Pool and spas

Clear debris from the water and filter.

Garage

Empty and clean any oil marks or dirt, remove cobwebs and clean garage door.

Rubbish bins

Wash and dry.

This article was originally published on
26 Sep 2019 at 9:00am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

The way the market’s tracking these days, renting’s no longer a temporary set-up for many Australians.

And while it offers lots of benefits, it also brings with it a fair few problems. First, there’s that voice at the back of your head telling you that your monthly rental payments aren’t building towards home ownership. And then there’s the looming threat of rental increases, evictions and maintenance disputes.

Which is why it’s important for renters to embrace minimalism – so that they’re able to move out with as little stress as possible, whenever life requires them to.

Here are five few reasons why renters should also be minimalists.

Minimalist design offers renters greater flexibility. Picture: realestate.com.au/rent

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1. Limiting possessions for ease of movement

One of the major drawbacks of being a long-term or permanent renter is constantly being at the mercy of landlords. That’s not to say you can be turfed out at short notice without good reason. In fact, there’s a fair bit of legislation on this matter. But things can change fairly quickly – and often when you least expect it.

Owning fewer possessions makes moving far less stressful – simply because it’s much easier to move a small stack of plates than an overflowing box of seldom used and mismatched crockery.

Cut back on unnecessary items sooner rather than later, as it’ll save a lot of time and stress on moving day.

Property transformations: 5 minimalist makeovers

2. Purchasing versatile furniture

It’s important for renters to avoid buying dwelling-specific furniture.

A giant, wicker swinging chair with a $4k price tag might look outstanding while hanging from the rafters of a warehouse conversion, but it probably won’t look half as good in the tiny, one-bedroom, inner-city flat you next move into.

Less is more when it comes to decorating your rental. Picture: realestate.com.au/rent

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There’s no way to predict the next place in which you’ll live, but it’s always best to avoid buying large and cumbersome furniture – especially because you might have to pay for the disposal of the item if you’re unable to sell or give it away.

So, think ‘simple’ and ‘versatile’ when you’re next shopping for furniture.

De-clutter: 12 tips to make moving day stress free

3. Practicing financial minimalism

Another form of minimalism with great benefits is general financial minimalism. There’s no point in signing a two year, non-refundable gym membership, if you’re on a month-to-month lease and may soon have to move away from the area.

Similarly, buying a car or bike to suit your new lifestyle might not be the best investment. Freedom is one of the most valuable benefits of renting, and one of the main reasons why some Australians choose never to buy a home. But the value of that benefit soon diminishes when you waste money on location-specific purchases.

Financial plans: Is it to revisit your household budget?

4. Harnessing a ‘make-do’ attitude

Just because there’s space for a stand mixer, food processor, blender, slow cooker and coffee machine on the current kitchen bench doesn’t mean there will be that much space on your next kitchen bench.

Multiple gadgets are luxuries, and it’s very easy to live without them. And lugging boxes of seldom-used equipment from house to house is also a massive waste of time and money.

Serviced apartments in hotels are designed for semi-long-term residency, and the most they will have in the kitchen is a kettle and toaster. To avoid overcrowding a tiny kitchen, stick to the essentials.

Drab to fab: 9 ways to spruce up a rental kitchen

Sometimes a stove, kettle and toaster is all you need. Picture: realestate.com.au/rent

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5. Ditching the storage trap

It’s a bad renting habit to drag the same ten boxes of stored items from one rental garage to the next, without ever opening them to use what’s inside.

If the items in the boxes haven’t been used, touched or thought about in years, there’s really no point in keeping them.

Old toys could be donated to child care centres. CDs and DVDs could be sold at markets. And excess blankets and bedding could be given to homeless shelters.

Freedom: De-clutter your home 

This article was originally published on
26 Sep 2019 at 9:00am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.

Home ownership rates among 25-34 year olds are in free fall in Australia. 

According to an analysis by the ABC, the proportion of Australians in this age bracket who own their own home dropped from 61% in 1981 to 45% in 2016, and the rental market has become fiercely competitive as a result.

In fact, 47% of renters in a realestate.com.au survey identified competition among renters as an “extremely frustrating” part of the rental process – a pain point that Kul Singh, REA Group Executive Manager for Rent, hopes to address with the rental application platform 1form. 

By setting up your 1form profile, applying for your next rental will be a simple process. With all your information in one place, you can apply with just a click of a button to as many properties as you like.

A perfect storm of rising living costs, slow wages growth and unaffordable housing means that Australians are renting for much longer. Picture: Kate Griffin/REA Group

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Known as Tenant Verification, the new feature helps renters push their rental applications to the front of the queue, by providing property managers with thorough background checks.

“It’s an opportunity for renters to stand out from the crowd, as it offers proof of identity and provides background checks, which go a long way towards convincing property managers that they will be great renters,” says Singh. 

To add a Tenant Verification report to their application, users log into 1form, click ‘Get Verified’ – desktop users will find this option at the top of the page; mobile users, in the dropdown menu on the left-hand side – and then select ‘Verify for just $29’.

The report contains the results of an identity check through the Australian Government Document Verification Service and specifies whether you are listed on Equifax’s National Tenancy Database. The report remains valid for 6 months, during which time you can attach it to all your rental applications to give yourself the edge.

1form’s Tenant Verification feature helps renters stand out from the crowd. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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According to Singh, the peace of mind and time-saving benefits that these background checks offer to property managers mean that they “prioritise these applications first”.

“Property managers are often processing large volumes of applications, and to have certain tenants proactively including Tenant Verification reports as part of their applications really helps them identify the strongest candidates,” he says.

Consequently, in a highly competitive rental market, a Tenant Verification report could be the difference between a tenant picking up a new set of keys and coming up empty-handed.

With many Australians now renting well into their 30s, the rental market has become fiercely competitive. Picture: Getty

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“There is a lot happening to make the experience for a renter to apply and secure a property easier and more enjoyable,” says Singh.

Make sure when you’re searching for your next rental that you sign into your MYREA account. By having an account, you can save the rentals you want to apply for later, keep up-to-date on new rentals in the market within your preferred neighbourhoods, and contact listing agents to find out more about the property.

This article was originally published on
7 Jan 2020 at 10:15am
but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.