[Western Sydney] Advice/Suggestions for First Time Renter on Getting a Place

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  pantsparty on 11/10/2016 - 09:11

  What kind of income do you expect to earn once you get a job? How soon do you expect to find work? I would guess the average rent is Sydney is $500 or so (obviously cheaper if you goto a dodgier area), that would eat up your entire savings pretty fast. Or do you plan to live with other flat mates?

  I think you may struggle being approved by the real estate agent without a job. They generally ask for payslips.

  • 

    OptimisticPessimist on 11/10/2016 - 09:22

    Well in terms of income, ideally ~$45k a year (initially, 'get foot in door' sort of thing). I hope to find work within a month or two.
    Ideally, I'm looking for office related work, but am also looking at jobs such as process work/factory/etc just to get some income.

    The places that I've looked at are primarily units/apartments, with rent being in the range of $250-$350. Don't intend on sharing accommodation, but if the situation calls for it, then I might have to.

    Yep, I understand it won't be easy being unemployed, hence asking for ways to increase my chances.

    Thanks

    • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2016 - 09:37 Comment score below threshold.
      • 

        niner on 11/10/2016 - 09:38

        +1

        But you sound ignorant. Hope the person paying your salary is getting their money's worth.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 11/10/2016 - 09:40

        @niner:
        im on ozbargain all day, so id say they are. ;)

      • 

        SnoozeAndLose on 11/10/2016 - 10:07

        Not every 26's could earn 6 figure

        The average full-time wage is $74,724 before tax.

        So dont judge people on how much they earn. They may have been doing something interesting to them and they are happy to it.

    • 

      trustnoone on 11/10/2016 - 12:59

      +1

      "$250-$350"

      Mate if you're looking for that price a week rent in Sydney for a House, you definitely need to go on either the NRAS scheme house or gooo wayy out of Sydney unless you stay in some type of lodge or complex (shared building sort of thing)

      I found Sydney to be fairly expensive, as pantsparty says I'd imagine average rent to be about 500AUD at least for a house (without bills).

      Personally if you can find one I'd probably go bachelor pad or granny flat sort of thing, better yet I'd rent out a room (or studio room so you don't share anything) for about 6 months, get a job, and use that to get a proper house as you'll know what income you'll be on and location.

      Problems here are that for the money you currently have you'll have to get a house fair way out, which means large travel cost for wherever you find work (it builds up) and you'll end up wanting to move somewhere better now that you have the income.

      I think how REA works is that they get a range of people thats interested, they show it to the landlord, and the landlord okays which one they want. Since you have no job, you'll probably be at a disadvantage here.

      If it helps my friend got a place in QLD and they only needed a "referee" not a landlord (rented at) one, so hopefully be the same for you.

      ---

      Personal anecdote: I just hit up gumtree and rented some room in Sydney, called the guy up and had a few minutes talk and that was it. Not saying I'm recommending it as it could've all gone bad, but just letting you know of the option. The guy charged about $350 a week incl all bills, for a room with a kitchen and bathroom.

• 

  DarkOz on 11/10/2016 - 09:17

  You should just sub-lease a room or if you are lucky enough to find a good room mate you could even sub-lease a room twin shared.

  Leasing a unit by yourself is too expensive. Also it depends on the agent you are dealing with your chance of secure it won't be high unless the landlord is desperate.

  • 

    OptimisticPessimist on 11/10/2016 - 09:36

    I have considered that, but am a bit uncomfortable sharing a place with a stranger (don't know why). Might have to harden up bit.

    If I had a mate that had a spare room or would be a co-tenant, then I would go that route; but unfortunately not in the cards.

    One place that I've found is offering $288 a week, which I think is something I can afford. Its enrolled in the NRAS scheme, so I'd have to remain below its income threshold.

    • 

      airzone on 11/10/2016 - 12:53

      +2

      I think you need to harden up. Sub-leasing a room is a right of passage, and is cheap. Consider shared utility bills, internet, as well as the rent. Depending on who you get, you can share food bills and basically half your living costs.

      It also teaches you skills in living with unrelated people and getting along with the small domestic parts of life.

      Also, living alone is just that… Lonely.

      Given that you are unemployed or otherwise on the low end of the scale, this is a very easy way to save money.

• 

  ItsMeAgro on 11/10/2016 - 09:48

  +6

  2 tips for first-time renters:

  • The real estate agent will give you an inspection report saying there's nothing wrong with any part of the house. They'll act like it's just a formality, and any minor wear and tear on the place is too trivial to bother mentioning. This is a trick. You take that inspection report and mark every imperfection. 2cm dent in the wall near the roof? Note it. Carpet very slightly stained in the corner? Note it. This only takes 5 minutes and will save you if the owner decides they want to use your bond to fix existing damage/wear you didn't cause at the end.

  • Buy a brand new toilet seat from Bunnings. They cost as little as $10. They take 1 minute to change, with no special tools or handyman knowledge. Silly not to just change it.

  • 

    OptimisticPessimist on 11/10/2016 - 09:59

    +1

    Will certainly do that, thanks.

  • 

    railspider on 11/10/2016 - 10:49

    +1

    +1 to the toilet seat suggestion - such a cheap way to make a house feel like a home

  • 

    furys12 on 12/10/2016 - 09:13

    +1

    massive plus 1 to the first one, theres no other way to put it, for the entirety of your rental period assume the real estate and the landlord are trying to screw you over in every aspect, photograph every inch of the place whilst your documenting it all, get copies of everything and record everything make it impossible to have something get slipped by you, the first 2 real estates i dealt with both tried to screw me out of my bond and the first (profanity) me over with a locksmith call out that was on them

    probably not an issue in sydney but if you get a place with any sort of garden even a pot plant, make sure the level of care for that is clearly defined

  • 

    SirFlibbled on 13/10/2016 - 15:03

    +1

    I splurged on a $40 one. It was easier to clean (no small gaps etc) and was so comfortable…

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  gringo on 11/10/2016 - 11:27

  Probably wouldn't pay 6 months rent - they aren't obliged to lodge it anywhere so if they go broke (e.g. they have a gambling habit/whatever) you might lose it.

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  lainey13 on 12/10/2016 - 09:39

  Get a job first so you know where to live and how much you can afford to spend on rent. Do you really want to commit to a lease with no income?

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  xssive on 12/10/2016 - 09:41

  +1

  I would apply for a 6 month lease, with 6 months rent upfront + bond.

  If your parents can write a letter as a guaranator, this will also help.

  Another option is to find a private landlord on the likes of gumtree, as they are more flexible without having rental reference etc