sunny35
26th June 2009, 01:24 AM
Hi there, we leave for Newcastle in 8 weeks and I am trying to collect and think of documents to take, especially what is needed to rent a house. What do you think we should take?
Paperwork for house rental?
Cliff
26th June 2009, 08:16 PM
If you are currently renting you could bring a reference along from your landlord or else get a letter from your bank to say that you pay your mortgage on time. I would also recommend, if you are selling your house, you ask your estate agents for a letter saying that your house is clean and presentable.
I think it would be a good idea to bring a letter from your new employer if you have a job offer waiting for you.
I think it would be a good idea to bring a letter from your new employer if you have a job offer waiting for you.
Steffi
26th June 2009, 11:48 PM
You might want to open an Aus bank account while you are still in the UK as this will help with ID and help with paying the rent. Getting a few references saying that you are 'decent' people from solicitor/estate agent/bank will not go wrong and may smooth things along for you. In some places there is great demand for rentals and it may help you to secure a place.
sunny35
27th June 2009, 09:18 PM
Thanks for your comments- much appreciated. I'll go a look into setting up a bank account.
FamousFive
28th June 2009, 07:44 PM
I'll second what others have already said. Landlords want to know that:
1. You are honest.
2. You have a source of income.
3. You are clean, tidy and don't make a habit of putting properties to the sword.
4. You are who you say you are.
So I'll second what Cliff and Steffi have told you. Your passport is always going to be handy when it comes to proving who you say you are. I'd say make a good few photocopies of all of your docs, including your passport, before you stop on the plane. Most tenancies are six months. If you can't prove you have a source of income or if you don't have the financial documents people want, you could always volunteer six month's rent up front. One way or another, they will want proof in the form of references that you will look after the rental properly.
Since you're heading to NSW, you might want to have a look at the The Office of Fairtrading, New South Wales (http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners/Renting_a_home/Bonds.html). If you have to pay your landlord a bond on the rental, the OFT hold the money.
Amount of bond
Charging a rental bond is not mandatory, however the maximum rental bond that can be asked for is:
* four weeks rent, for unfurnished premises
* six weeks rent, for fully furnished premises with a rent of $250 or less per week
* unlimited, if the rent for fully furnished premises is more than $250 per week.
The amount of bond that is to be paid (if any) must be written on the agreement.
Demanding or receiving a written guarantee from a tenant, or somebody on their behalf, is not permitted. A rental bond must be in the form of money and not as a guarantee.
Lodging a rental bond
The landlord or agent must send any bond paid to the Office of Fair Trading, within 7 days. A lodgement form is needed to do this and can be obtained from any Fair Trading Centre or by calling 13 32 20. Lodgement forms cannot be downloaded from this website as they have a unique barcode.
Another site you could have a look at is http://www.tenants.org.au/.
This is quite useful and amongst other things lists your rights and responsibilities under NSW's Residential Tenancies Act.
Your rights under the Act
* To be given a copy of the residential tenancy agreement, including a completed condition report, and The renting guide by the Office of Fair Trading
* to have premises rented to you in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit to live in
* to be given rent receipts (unless you pay rent into a nominated bank account)
* to have no rent increases at all during a fixed-term agreement, unless it says so in the residential tenancy agreement
* to be given 60 days written notice of a rent increase
* to have quiet enjoyment and use of the premises – the landlord/agent must not interfere with your possession of the premises
* to have peace, comfort and privacy
* to have reasonable locks and security
* to have reasonable repairs and maintenance done
* to be repaid for any urgent repairs paid for by you, up to $1000 (conditions apply – see Factsheet 06)
* to apply to the CTTT for orders if the landlord has broken the agreement
* to be given written notice of the landlord wanting to end the agreement
* to be notified of the change of name and address of your landlord or agent
* to refuse the landlord access except in limited circumstances and with proper notice (see Factsheet 08)
* not to be unlawfully evicted.
Your responsibilities under the Act
* To fill out the condition report and give the landlord a copy
* to pay rent on time
* to care for the premises
* to pay for any damage caused by you or your guests
* to report the need for any repairs or maintenance
* not to make alterations or additions without the landlord's permission
* not to alter, remove or add a lock or security device without the landlord's permission
* not to use or permit the premises to be used for an illegal purpose
* not to cause or permit a nuisance
* not to interfere with the peace, comfort or privacy of neighbours
* to give correct written notice when you leave
* to leave the premises in a similar condition to when you rented them, except for normal wear and tear.
1. You are honest.
2. You have a source of income.
3. You are clean, tidy and don't make a habit of putting properties to the sword.
4. You are who you say you are.
So I'll second what Cliff and Steffi have told you. Your passport is always going to be handy when it comes to proving who you say you are. I'd say make a good few photocopies of all of your docs, including your passport, before you stop on the plane. Most tenancies are six months. If you can't prove you have a source of income or if you don't have the financial documents people want, you could always volunteer six month's rent up front. One way or another, they will want proof in the form of references that you will look after the rental properly.
Since you're heading to NSW, you might want to have a look at the The Office of Fairtrading, New South Wales (http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners/Renting_a_home/Bonds.html). If you have to pay your landlord a bond on the rental, the OFT hold the money.
Amount of bond
Charging a rental bond is not mandatory, however the maximum rental bond that can be asked for is:
* four weeks rent, for unfurnished premises
* six weeks rent, for fully furnished premises with a rent of $250 or less per week
* unlimited, if the rent for fully furnished premises is more than $250 per week.
The amount of bond that is to be paid (if any) must be written on the agreement.
Demanding or receiving a written guarantee from a tenant, or somebody on their behalf, is not permitted. A rental bond must be in the form of money and not as a guarantee.
Lodging a rental bond
The landlord or agent must send any bond paid to the Office of Fair Trading, within 7 days. A lodgement form is needed to do this and can be obtained from any Fair Trading Centre or by calling 13 32 20. Lodgement forms cannot be downloaded from this website as they have a unique barcode.
Another site you could have a look at is http://www.tenants.org.au/.
This is quite useful and amongst other things lists your rights and responsibilities under NSW's Residential Tenancies Act.
Your rights under the Act
* To be given a copy of the residential tenancy agreement, including a completed condition report, and The renting guide by the Office of Fair Trading
* to have premises rented to you in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit to live in
* to be given rent receipts (unless you pay rent into a nominated bank account)
* to have no rent increases at all during a fixed-term agreement, unless it says so in the residential tenancy agreement
* to be given 60 days written notice of a rent increase
* to have quiet enjoyment and use of the premises – the landlord/agent must not interfere with your possession of the premises
* to have peace, comfort and privacy
* to have reasonable locks and security
* to have reasonable repairs and maintenance done
* to be repaid for any urgent repairs paid for by you, up to $1000 (conditions apply – see Factsheet 06)
* to apply to the CTTT for orders if the landlord has broken the agreement
* to be given written notice of the landlord wanting to end the agreement
* to be notified of the change of name and address of your landlord or agent
* to refuse the landlord access except in limited circumstances and with proper notice (see Factsheet 08)
* not to be unlawfully evicted.
Your responsibilities under the Act
* To fill out the condition report and give the landlord a copy
* to pay rent on time
* to care for the premises
* to pay for any damage caused by you or your guests
* to report the need for any repairs or maintenance
* not to make alterations or additions without the landlord's permission
* not to alter, remove or add a lock or security device without the landlord's permission
* not to use or permit the premises to be used for an illegal purpose
* not to cause or permit a nuisance
* not to interfere with the peace, comfort or privacy of neighbours
* to give correct written notice when you leave
* to leave the premises in a similar condition to when you rented them, except for normal wear and tear.
sunny35
30th June 2009, 01:47 AM
Thanks for the info on bonds and the link to NSW website- I don't want to be ripped off with paying too much over in bond. I'm hoping to get a place in Newcastle fully furnished to begin with and then maybe buy a place in 6 -12 months time.
Cheers for all the info.
Cheers for all the info.
FamousFive
30th June 2009, 10:21 PM
Good luck finding a rental sunny35, the market might be difficult for you just now. :(
Demand for rentals has outstripped supply in Sydney for a couple of years now at least. The situation has eased a little recently but it's still very tight. The rental market in Newcastle is also tricky for the would-be renter. Again, supply is lower than demand. Hopefully, low interest rates will encourage some of your competitors for rentals to buy a house instead.
Demand for rentals has outstripped supply in Sydney for a couple of years now at least. The situation has eased a little recently but it's still very tight. The rental market in Newcastle is also tricky for the would-be renter. Again, supply is lower than demand. Hopefully, low interest rates will encourage some of your competitors for rentals to buy a house instead.
Heidi
20th January 2012, 09:04 PM
Newcastle's rental market is really tough at the moment so it's best to be as prepared as you can.
"The story was bleaker for renters in Newcastle, with vacancy rates falling by 0.5 percentage points to 1.1 per cent, making it the state's tightest rental market."
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/sydney-rental-vacancies-on-the-increase/story-e6frea73-1226248891074
"The story was bleaker for renters in Newcastle, with vacancy rates falling by 0.5 percentage points to 1.1 per cent, making it the state's tightest rental market."
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/sydney-rental-vacancies-on-the-increase/story-e6frea73-1226248891074
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