WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RENTING A PROPERTY

Living in a rental property is a reality for many people at some stage during their lives.   Whether it’s shared accommodation during university or while travelling the world, as a stop-gap between selling one home and buying another, moving to a new city or country, a step towards getting onto the property ladder or just a way of life, renting isn’t always an easy ride. 

Celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver is said to have topped the list of favourites in a survey which asked respondents to name their preferred housemate, while notorious bad boy of rock, Pete Doherty, was at the bottom of the list.  While it’s no surprise that the friendly, funny and warmhearted Jamie comes ahead of the troubled rocker with his penchant for noisy guitars and a history of antisocial behaviour, but when it comes to renting a house or apartment, you certainly don’t want any nasty surprises!

So if you’re renting, where to begin?  Don’t limit your search to property management companies, talk to real estate agents, scour the classified sections of local newspapers and search the internet.   And remember, quality tenants are highly sought after – so having all your ducks in a row from the outset will be a big advantage.

A landlord will need to cross-reference your paperwork, and so too do you need to check out the credentials of any agent or landlord.   Advice from an experience real estate agent in Victoria Park, Western Australia, is that agents should represent the best interests of both sides, so it’s always worth dealing with the professionals to make sure everyone gets the best attention.  There can be obstacles on both sides, so here are some things to know before making a commitment :

1.    Before you start, do you have all information and documentation readily available? Eg proof of identity, references, bank details etc

2.    Understand what your rights as a tenant are and what your obligatipns are.  Not all agreements are the same, so read them carefully. 

3.    Do some thorough investigation on the area.  Make a list of priorities – proximity to your workplace, schools in the area, transport, shopping precincts, sports clubs, community centres, traffic, noise (from airports etc).

4.    And when you see a property you like, check it carefully even though it may look perfect.  Again, go through your checklist to avoid making costly mistakes.  For example, check the state of the appliances, the water pressure, the cleanliness of the carpets, what furnishings are included.  If anything is not quite right, take a photo of it and get the estate agent to record the date.

5.    Don’t sign anything before making a thorough check of the inventory.  Investing the time in the beginning could save lots of conflict, and money at a later stage.

6.    Always read the small print!  Issues such as maintenance and cleaning aren’t always clear, so you need to understand your rights and responsibilities.  Here’s a little tip – don’t ever sign a blank form and always ask questions if you’re unclear on anything!

7.    It’s worthwhile having expert rental agents on your side when you enter a legal commitment.  For example, did you know that in some places, landlords are obliged to have annual safety checks on things like gas and electrics?

 This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to aspects involved in renting.  The internet is a good source of information plus the rental agent should also be able to help.

And just a thought – if you’re renting accommodation with people other than your family – it can mean getting up close and personal.  It’s highly unlikely that a celebrity chef or a wayward rocker are going to sign up as tenants in your property, but if you don’t choose who you share your space with very, very carefully, you could end up rock bottom!