Tenant Information - Renting

Tenant Information

We recognise that International Students have difficulty in arranging accommodation prior to arriving or once in Australia due various factors.

Issues which may face students upon arrival are:

• Physically locating advertised properties
• Negotiating public transport
  
• Making a decision of the location of the accommodation relative your educational institute
  
• Travel time and safety issues
  
• Lack of rental history
  

It may be the first time the majority of you have lived away from home and have limited or little rental experience. Many of you will not be familiar with your rights as a tenant and appropriate documentation.

Types of Accommodation Available

There are many different styles of accommodation in Australia available for International Students: varying from units, townhouses, houses, student accommodation, homestay and on campus accommodation.  

Rental Properties

We will discuss the option when you rent a property from a landlord (owner) or through a real estate agent.

Generally, you source the rental property by various means, newspapers, real estate agents or over the internet.

Once you have decided or chosen a property contact the agent or owner and show your interest to rent the property.

You will be required to make a rental application which will be assessed by the owner or real estate agent against other applications.

You will be notified if you have been successful or not. 

Everyone renting in Australia has to sign an agreement called a lease. This is an agreement between you, the student, and the person you are renting from. Don’t sign a lease unless you understand it and don’t sign unless you have inspected the property and are happy with it. Make note of any damage you see on inspection.

Bonds

When you find a place to rent you will have to pay a bond, usually four weeks rent. The owner or real estate agent must lodge this with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. The bond is kept aside to make sure you look after the property. Make sure you receive a receipt when you complete this Bond Lodgement Form. You will get this money back if there is no damage and the property is clean when you vacate.

Change of Tenants

If you are renting with other people and they wish to move out but you wish to continue the tenancy, the entire bond must remain lodged. Leaving tenants should complete a Bond Transfer form with continuing and incoming tenants, and the landlord or agent.
Arrange the refund of your share of the bond directly with the continuing or incoming tenants. The landlord or agent must complete and sign the transfer form to consent to the transfer of the tenancy. 

Property Inspections

Your property will be inspected by a real estate agent or representative of the property you are renting. This occurs to everyone who rents in Australia. They are checking the property is clean and there has been no damage caused. It is very important to develop a good rental history so when you move into a further rental property you will be assessed on your previous rental history.

If you have caused damage or left the property unclean, this information will be marked on your rental history. This information will be provided to the next real estate agent or company who you try to rent through. This may make it harder for you to rent.       
If a student or a number of students come together to rent a unit, house or townhouse, this is referred to as a general tenancy and is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

How to Apply