Is There a Company I Can Pay to Help My Elderly Pensioner Relatives Find a New Rental in Rural WA?

Riczter on 11/04/2024 - 20:44

Sorry for another housing crisis post. My relatives who are Australian elderly pensioners are being kicked out of their Dongara, WA rental property at the end of the month so the owner can up the rent, and they are freaking out about becoming homeless. I know free support services are stretched thin during this crisis, but was wondering if there are any paid services ie companies that deal with this sort of stuff for profit that can help them out. I'm not in a financial position to be able to make a tangible difference to their long term situation, and am time-poor with work, but I could spend some money to pay someone else to work with them to find them the best outcome for their circumstances and hopefully keep them off the street.

It needs to be a reputable company that will work with them, help them with the paperwork side ie: they are stuggling with computers and applying online for rentals, and will work with them to understand what they can afford and help them make it happen, and a company that understands the system for pensioners, what support is available to them etc. As well as ideally someone who is more local to them and can visit them in person, though this may be more difficult since they are so far away from Perth.

Ideally they are looking for a place in south west WA for $400 a week that they can afford on their pension but I am less concerned with their location preferences and more concerned with them having a stable safe roof over their head.

Do any services like this exist??

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Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 11/04/2024 - 20:54
    -1

    400 a week for a whole house?

    • Drakesy on 12/04/2024 - 10:52
      +1

      It is possible in rural areas

  • sumyungguy on 11/04/2024 - 20:58

    Will you consider consulting the WA government?

    • Riczter on 11/04/2024 - 21:02

      Yeah they are already talking to centrelink and applying for state housing but from what I understand the waiting lists for these programs are measured in years, not weeks. I'm looking for a plan B for if the safety net fails.

      • sumyungguy on 11/04/2024 - 21:07

        How about the not-for-profits, like Anglicare WA, Salvos, etc? With the caveat: due to WA's accommodation shortage, options are currently limited. I'd be wary of tipping money into the abyss, they're only going to get exploited.

        • Riczter on 11/04/2024 - 21:19

          Yeah that's exactly what I'm worried about, which is why I thought I'd ask the community here if there are any reputable companies I can deal with that are actually going to put the money to good use to help them out and not just add them to another list. I'll look into what Anglicare offers, thanks.

      • El cheepo on 11/04/2024 - 21:59

        Yeah the wait list is ridiculous, not too long ago i had friends and a family member on it and in the end they found their own place faster then government assistance was able to be rendered (18 odd months ish for both).

        My family member did have one offer in that time of a place in Balga, but after going to look at it with her kids and getting chased/threatened by the neighbours she decided against it.

  • screensaver on 11/04/2024 - 21:21

    Yes the site downsizing has rental properties all over australia geared to seniors

    • Riczter on 11/04/2024 - 21:22

      That's one I haven't heard of before, thanks!

      Edit: Wow. That's grim. Their website has only one 2bed+ rental listed in the entirety of WA.

      • screensaver on 11/04/2024 - 21:34

        no I found 2 more, I will link

        • Riczter on 11/04/2024 - 21:41

          Ah thanks, they didn't come up for me because they are only single bedroom units and I was looking for 2 bedroom. Thanks for looking though :)

  • djsweet on 11/04/2024 - 22:44
    +2

    Given the costs of moving, and the difficulty in finding a place at a price they can afford, you might be better off just paying the current landlord what they are asking. Maybe between all the relatives you could come up with $100 per week or whatever the difference will be. In the mean time look for other options.

    • Riczter on 11/04/2024 - 22:55

      From what I've heard secondhand, a new mine is opening up in the area and the landlord wants to evict and make it available to the mining company to get that sweet mining company rental income. But overall not a terrible idea, would certainly save a lot of headaches. Worried the short term solution would become a long term one however.

  • websterp on 12/04/2024 - 09:47

    What is stopping you from contacting real estate agents local to these regional areas? Wouldn't they be able to find one pretty quickly?

    • Montyjpm on 12/04/2024 - 10:28

      Looks like the OP is exploring options

    • AustriaBargain on 12/04/2024 - 11:02

      Especially if OP is willing to co-sign for them. Stable pension plus OPs help might make OPs parents look kind of attractive to rent to.

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