Melbourne Student Accommodation State of the Market
With the gradual easing of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rental market in Melbourne has experienced a surge in competitiveness. This is especially noticeable during the current school season, posing significant difficulties for international students searching for suitable accommodation. International students usually have two options for renting in Melbourne: utilizing rental agencies or exploring private rentals. Each approach presents its own advantages and disadvantages, enabling individuals to choose based on their unique circumstances:
Intermediary rental: This involves landlords entrusting their properties to local intermediaries who handle the renting process.
- Advantages: High-quality housing options; Standardized rental procedures with legal constraints, ensuring better rights protection in case of issues later on.
- Disadvantages: Generally higher housing prices; Strict application review with a complex process and lower approval rates; Longer lease terms (usually 6 to 12 months).
- Advantages: Direct communication with the landlord, simplified application process, Cost-effective housing options, More availability of short-term rentals and shared accommodations.
- Disadvantages: Less rigorous procedures, making it challenging to protect rights in case of problems; Presence of multiple sub-landlords, leading to a higher risk factor.
Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls when Renting Student Accommodation in Melbourne – Before Check-In
1. Assessing the Regularity of the Housing Channel
When renting, it is advisable to utilize established channels to minimize the chances of encountering dishonest landlords or intermediaries, whether through an agency or directly from the property owner.
Additionally, exercise caution when coming across excessively inexpensive listings. If the rent seems significantly below market rates, investigate why. Could it be due to substandard amenities, safety concerns, or inconvenient location? Remember, there are no unrealistic bargains without potential drawbacks.
PS: I highly recommend logging into the uhomes website or using the uhomes app to view the apartment. In addition to photos, real videos provide a more comprehensive understanding of the apartment’s situation.
2. Ensuring the Safety of Your New Neighborhood
When renting a place in a foreign country, it is essential to prioritize safety. Opt for neighbourhoods with reputable and secure environments. Even within safer areas, avoid streets that are densely crowded or filled with bars.
Before finalizing your decision, take advantage of the internet and international student groups to gather information about the security situation in the area and the safety measures provided by the apartment complex.
3. Making an Informed Choice Thorough Assessing and Comparing Housing Options
Before deciding, viewing multiple houses and selecting the one that best meets your requirements is advisable. When renting through an agent, scheduling an appointment in advance is essential, as house viewings are typically limited to specified times.
During the inspection, evaluating the following aspects of the property is critical:
- Renting Type: Private rental or intermediary rental.
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Room Size: Assess the size of the room to ensure it meets your needs and allows for comfortable living arrangements.
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Window Environment: Check the surroundings outside the window to determine if it is located near a busy road or noisy area.
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Decor Condition: Evaluate the level of renovation and decoration, considering whether it is new or old and if it aligns with your preferences.
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Appliances Inclusion: Inquire about whether essential appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, or washing machine are included in the rental.
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Appliance Condition: Check the condition of the appliances to ensure they are in good working order and meet your requirements.
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Cleanliness: Inspect the kitchen and toilet for cleanliness and hygiene standards.
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Public Health: Consider the cleanliness and maintenance of common areas, such as hallways and staircases.
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Transportation Convenience: Assess the accessibility and convenience of public transportation options nearby.
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Pet Policy: If you have pets, verify whether pets are allowed in the accommodation.
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Shared Housing: If considering shared housing, take the time to understand the potential roommate’s background, such as whether they are a student, their friendliness, and compatibility regarding habits and lifestyle.
4. Navigating Contract Terms Carefully
Reviewing the following points of the contract before signing:
Inclusive Rent: Verify if the rent covers bills or if they are separate expenses.
Payment Method: Determine the preferred form of rent payment, such as cash, check, online transfer, etc.
Deposit Details: Confirm the amount and method of deposit payment and understand the conditions for its return.
Lease Duration: Determine the length of the lease agreement, including start and end dates.
Subleasing Possibility: Check if subleasing is allowed during the lease term if needed.
Early Termination Clause: Understand the options and potential consequences of terminating the lease early.
Communicate Concerns: Raise any questions or doubts about contract terms promptly to avoid future disputes.
5. Keeping Rental Contracts and Relevant Receipts
Keeping a record of all the documents you’ve signed, particularly the rental contract and payment receipts for the deposit, is highly advisable. In the event of any disputes, having these copies readily available will serve as valuable evidence should you need to seek assistance from the appropriate authorities or departments.
Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls when Renting Student Accommodation in Melbourne – After Check-in
6. Checking the Condition of Your Apartment
Complete check-in. Your first step is to assess the house’s condition. Typically, you will be provided with a housing condition report by the intermediary or landlord. It is important to carefully inspect each furniture item and appliance to ensure they are complete and undamaged after your initial stay. Once you have completed the inspection and are satisfied, sign the housing condition report and return it to the intermediary or landlord.
This housing condition report is a crucial reference for checking out and identifying any potential damages in the house. Therefore, it is crucial to diligently confirm its accuracy and retain a copy for your records.
7. Make Sure Timely Rent Payment
Paying rent on time is extremely important. If a tenant fails to pay rent within the specified period, most agents will impose a penalty by deducting it directly from the next month’s rent. If you forget or have financial difficulties, it is crucial to communicate promptly with the intermediary or landlord, explaining the situation and avoiding potential legal actions.
Additionally, when renting a house in Australia and seeking another rental, it is often necessary to provide your previous rental history, including the property manager’s name, telephone number, and email address. The new landlord may contact the property manager to verify if you consistently paid rent on time and other relevant factors. This information serves as a reference in deciding whether to rent the house to you.
8. Effectively Handling Various Problems as They Arise
After moving into your new apartment, if you experience any emergency failures such as electrical equipment malfunctions, heater damage, burst water pipes, severe roof leaks, gas appliance leakage, or toilet system failures, it is essential to contact the intermediary or landlord for assistance promptly. A written notice can be provided to the landlord or intermediary for non-emergency damages, such as a dead light bulb.
In most cases, the landlord or intermediary will address the emergency failure immediately, aiming to resolve the issue within 14 days. If the housing problem is not handled correctly, legal assistance can be sought from Consumer Affairs Victoria. It is worth noting that tenants can request replacements or repairs from the agent or landlord without incurring additional fees.
9. Preparing for Routine Inspections by the Landlord or Intermediary
In Melbourne, once the tenant has moved in, the landlord or intermediary is not permitted to enter the property without the tenant’s consent. For regular inspections, a minimum of 24 hours notice must be given before their arrival.
Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls when Renting Student Accommodation in Melbourne – When Check-out
10. Notifying Your Landlord or Agent in Advance of Your Departure
In many parts of Australia, it is a common misconception that simply moving out on the same day when a lease expires is sufficient. However, in reality, tenants are typically required to provide written notice to their landlord or agent 28 days before the end of their lease.
If you rent through an agent, they may email you a few weeks before the lease ends to inquire about lease renewal. If no inquiry is received, it becomes the tenant’s responsibility to send their own written notice.
If the tenant delays checking out until the end of the tenancy, they may be asked to pay an additional 28 days’ rent before being allowed to check out. Alternatively, the contract may automatically renew and convert into a fixed-term contract, leading to further complications for the tenant.
11. Understanding the Refund Process for Your Deposit
It is customary for landlords and agents to return the security deposit when a tenant moves out. However, to protect themselves from dishonest landlords or agents, tenants should ensure they confirm the deposit refund amount upon checking out. It is vital for tenants to carefully review and sign the deposit refund form once they are satisfied to avoid the risk of receiving less than the rightful refund or no refund at all.
12. Clearing Personal Belongings and Sanitizing Your Home
During checkout, tenants should remove all their belongings and thoroughly clean the house to avoid incurring additional fees for garbage disposal and sanitation. Failure to do so may impact the deposit refund.
Specific attention should be given to cleaning ventilation fans in bathrooms, filters, the interior of range hoods, ovens, dishwashers, any pet-related mess, mould on walls and carpets, and dirt on door frames.
13. Retaining Your Property Manager’s Contact Information
Suppose the tenant plans to rent again in the future. In that case, they may be asked to provide their previous rental history along with the property manager’s contact details, including their name, phone number, and email address. Therefore, tenants must keep the property manager’s contact information upon checkout.
In conclusion, reading and understanding this article is crucial if you consider renting an apartment in Melbourne for your studies. By doing so, you can minimize the potential risks and make informed decisions when finding the right rental property. Take the time to research, ask questions, and prioritize your safety and security.
With proper knowledge and preparedness, you can embark on your journey as a student in Melbourne with confidence and peace of mind. Good luck with your apartment search!
