Hi All,
Relatively new to the real estate/tenancy game, as I've previously just been paying rent off the books to some uni friends.
Recently saw a property appear on RealEstate.com.au which seemed absolutely IDEAL, so promptly requested an inspection, as I'm aware of how extremely low the rental vacancy rate is in Perth at the moment during the Covid-era, and how ridiculously competitive the current market is for prospective tenants. The property had literally only been listed the day prior, so I figured I'd have a very good chance of being allowed to attend an inspection. Received an automated-looking email the next day from the agency saying;
"In response to your enquiry, we are finalising arrangements to show this property and we will contact you as soon as an inspection time becomes available. Once a time becomes available, we will invite you to register for an inspection. You must register to confirm your attendance at the inspection."
Thus I assumed that I'd be informed when an inspection became available, however I was conscious of the fact that many such agencies would be closed or operating on reduced business hours during the Christmas-New Year period, so was happy to be patient. After not hearing anything for 5 days, I messaged the mobile number listed on the rental listing, asking if I could request an inspection. I heard back from a co-worker of the property manager, who stated "If you can please register online, it will advise the first home open times. I believe Property Manager has it scheduled for later today. So again, I assumed I should just wait, and that I'd hear something a little closer to the date. At about midday yesterday, my patience had reached its limits, so I phoned the agency and asked what the situation was. I was finally able to speak to the property manager, who informed me that all 4 inspection timeslots were currently full. I stated how I'd requested an inspection on Christmas morning and how I'd be really surprised if all 4 timeslots had been filled so quickly during the christmas period, but the manager simply claimed that things were just "really crazy at the moment" and that everything was being snapped up so quickly. I expressed my genuinely high level of interest in being able to apply for this particular property, and asked if there were any way that I could be allowed to tag along at one of the inspections, but they simply said that I'd have to wait and hope that someone un-registered before the event, so that I might have a chance of securing their spot.
So, I guess my questions are aimed at any other Perth rentseekers or people in-the-know, and are as follows;
1) Do you really think it's possible/likely that in the less than 24hr period between the property being listed and my inspection request submission, that FOUR inspection timeslots (of, what, 5 or 10 people each?) could have been completely filled by other rentseekers? Or is the REA simply picking and choosing people somehow, and not conducting the process fairly?
2) Given that the REA's coworker informed me that there is going to be an inspection today, do you think I have absolutely any grounds whatsoever to even attempt to show up, in the hope that someone else doesn't show, so that I might be able to inspect the property and thus apply?
3) It would be a bad idea to attempt to apply for the rental without having attended the inspection (simply because they won't let me), wouldn't it?
4) Any other suggestions/advice/tips?
Thanks in advance for any assistance, and apologies for my naivety concerning some of this stuff. Really appreciate your time!
I'd Phone or SMS the Property Manager and indicate you are going to be in the Area where the Rental is this afternoon looking at another Property but that you are keen to inspect and secure their listing if it is suitable.
If they have a slot open up they can call you back on a direct number or SMS you and you can swing by…
Otherwise, you would be keen to view it at a mutually convenient time (if you are still looking).