Renting in Australia

Homes and apartments are available for rent either privately by owner or through a property manager. The rules are different in each State and Territory but are basically as follows;

• Homes are advertised to rent through various online and print media. At times a home open may be advertised to allow potential tenants to have a look.
   
• When you find a suitable home, a tenancy application is completed and sometimes an application consideration fee (usually one or two weeks rent) is paid.
   
• The property manager will interview potential tenants and contact references. They would also check the National Rent Register to ensure an applicant is not black listed for prior non-payment or malicious damage.
   
• If successful, a lease agreement (usually 12 months) is drawn up and signed by applicant and landlord. A bond equivalent to a month’s rent is paid into a Statutory Trust account and a month’s rent is paid in advance to the landlord.
   
• Regular property inspections are carried out by the property manager and rent reviews are generally negotiated annually.
   

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