Types of Rental Housing in Australia
Apart from student flats and student hostels, there are several main types of housing available for renting in Australia:
House
The most common house in Australia, every family has its yard. Suitable for people who like to play and eat together to open, party people live, the rent is generally $150-$250 a week.
Advantages: relatively quiet, parking space is relatively sufficient, more rooms, more space for groceries, have their yard, you can plant a small plant.
Disadvantages: Wooden house insulation is relatively poor but also more prone to pests if the whole rental is more trouble to take care of.
Unit
Similar to domestic ground-floor buildings, generally 2-4 floors, the location will be closer to the town than the house, which is very good, and the number of people living there is relatively small. It is suitable for students who do not have high demand for facilities, and the price is moderate.
Advantages: The flats are usually close to the station and shopping centre. So it’s convenient to get around, and some flats also provide a gym or swimming pool. Some apartments also offer a gym or swimming pool.
Disadvantages: Some older units may not have lifts, electronic access control systems, etc., which makes them less secure and less soundproof.
Apartment
Medium to high-rise buildings with access control and security systems, usually located in busy traffic areas, are the most common choice for students who go to school in the City.
Advantages: safe, good facilities (swimming pool, gym, sauna, underground garage, etc.), convenient for shopping and transport.
Disadvantages: Rent is relatively expensive, usually $300-$600 weekly for a flat. But it is about $200 per person if you find a partner to share it.
Townhouse
The townhouse is an independent house in a row where neighbouring houses are close to each other. Generally one-storey or two-storey, a blend of villas and flats with a courtyard, the house area is usually smaller than the House.
Advantages: A townhouse is a good-quality brick house with good sound insulation. And it is more comfortable to live in than a house. Many landlords take it out for subletting. Usually 3-4 rooms, 2-3 floors; the latest Townhouse can even do one person and one bathroom, which is more cost-effective than House.
Homestay
Homestay is a kind of accommodation the Australian government provides for international students. Some local families in Australia open their homes to international students and accept international students as their family members. International students usually stay for a few months, with more younger students choosing homestay. International students under 18 must choose homestay if they want to stay off-campus.
However, those over 18 usually choose to move out and share with others of the same age. After all, living in someone else’s house is more inconvenient. In addition, it is more expensive than renting a house alone because three meals are included, and the food is not always to your liking!
Cost of Renting an Apartment in Australia
Rent, bond, and utility bills are the main costs of renting an apartment in Australia.
Rent: Prices vary from city to city. Sydney is more expensive, while other states will be much cheaper. 100 to 150 Australian dollars a week can live very well, but the same price in Sydney will be tough.
Pound gold Bond: Generally, it is charged for four weeks (the law provides a maximum of 4 weeks). If the landlord wants to charge you eight weeks of Bond, that is not allowed. It is prohibited if the landlord wants to charge you an eight-week bond. Easy-going private landlords also charge a two-week bond.
Utility Bill: There are two types of utility bill: the all-inclusive bill, which means that all utility bills are included in the rent, and the shared bill, which means that the rent is shared with the utility bill. The landlord who chooses this type of utility bill is mainly worried about the different living habits of the people, such as the kind of people who cook soup all day and turn on the air-conditioner 24 hours a day in the summer. If you meet this kind of people, you will be unhappy even if you are a landlord. Most of the landlords in the market are still willing to pack BILL for easy calculation.
If you rent a whole house from an agent, you will usually not include BILL or furniture. If you rent a single room, you typically have a basic 3-piece suite and a BILL package.
Also, when you live in a flat, there may be a need to have a deposit. For example, if the landlord asks for an extra access card like the property, the property will charge AUD100.
Recommended Websites for Renting an Apartment in Australia
Website Address: https://en.uhomes.com/
Site Description:
Founded in 2015, Hometown is a global platform for international students to rent apartments. The headquarters is located in Tianjin. It has several branches at home and abroad (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, New York, Toronto, Boston, Tokyo, Sydney, etc.). Co-invested by New Oriental, Zongxin Travel, Tianchuang Capital and Leo. It provides overseas rentals, overseas shuttles, customised services, study life guides, and other content. The company takes study abroad property and cross-border room rental as its business mainstay, closing the whole international study abroad industry chain.
Renting a Property in Australia
There are two main ways to rent a property in Australia: one is from a private renter, and the other is from an agent.
Private Rental
Advantages: lower price, simple process, only need to confirm the intention, pay the bond and 2-4 weeks rent, the earliest you can move in the same day.
Disadvantages: Lack of security, lack of formalities, prone to disputes – e.g. landlords raising the rent at will, not getting the deposit back, etc., to check the condition of the room, sign a rental contract, ask the landlord to provide an English receipt for the bond and keep written evidence of the rental transaction. Try to use bank transfer instead of cash.
Intermediary Rental
Advantages: many types of rooms, formal process, legal protection.
Disadvantages: complicated and time-consuming process; higher income requirements for tenants. Lower chance of success; more extended rental period; cannot terminate the contract in advance.
A Detailed Process of Renting an Apartment from an Australian Agent
Rental Preparation
Australia’s rental market is very competitive; a room is difficult to find. You may need to compete with other tenants; rental refusal is widespread. So you must prepare all the materials before looking at the room.
Bank statements for the last three months
COE, student visa if you are a student
Work permit or proof of employment if you have a job
1-2 referrals (Reference Check): Having an RC or local Citizen you know is advantageous if you rent an apartment together.
If you have rented an apartment before, you can ask the previous agent for a Tenant Ledger to prove that you have never defaulted on rent payments.
Look for a Property
After looking at the property online, contact the agent and find a time to view the property. When viewing the property, take the opportunity to ask questions about the property. Such as when you are sure you will move in, whether the landlord will pay the water bill, whether pets are allowed, how many parking spaces are available, how new and how old the property is, and so on.
Fill out a Rental Application
When you see an apartment you are happy with, ask the agent for a rental application form. Generally, you will be asked to provide your previous rental history, and you may be required to provide proof of income to prove that you can afford the rent & have good credit. In addition, most applications will require a guarantor. So, if you can find an Australian PR to sponsor you, it will be easier to rent an apartment. So, the first step above is to get all these things you need in order to fill out your rental application faster.
Signing the Rental Contract
Agency-managed rentals usually require at least a 6-month lease, after which the lease is automatically extended on a monthly basis. When you sign the contract, you must fill out a “Condition Report” to record the apartment’s condition when you arrive and ensure that the apartment is in good condition when you check out. When you get this report, make sure you double-check the condition of the house. For example, if there is a hole in the carpet or a stain on the wall, you must proactively add to it to avoid disputes. The contract is word for word to read; all work is completed, all the written agreements are in duplicate, a copy of the intermediary to keep, and a copy of their own back to save.
Payment of Deposit – Bond
After signing the contract, you are usually required to pay one month’s deposit, i.e. “Bond”. According to Australian law, this deposit must exist in the government-regulated fund account Fair Trading and can not be directly handed over to the landlord or intermediary. Once you receive the pound of gold, we will send you a Receipt. Renting in Australia is a bit different from renting in China. The rent is usually calculated by week, traditionally marked as $xx/week on the website.
After settling the contract and deposit, you can find a time to move in. Before moving in, you can apply for internet, electricity and gas. These bills will be in the renter’s name. Water is still in the name of the homeowner. If the house is empty, buy furniture.
Renting in Australia, many properties will not include furniture or only some simple furniture. You must buy the necessary furniture before moving in; as an international student, buying second-hand furniture and home appliances is the most cost-effective. This furniture will also be convenient the next time you move; you can browse Australia’s second-hand trading market to find a good deal.
Precautions for Renting an Apartment in Australia
Safety first refers to the environment and facilities around the house. Even in safer areas, there are streets with fewer people, so try to avoid living in such places. At the same time, consider whether the room you are staying in faces a noisy road or railway station.
Observe the landlord when you look at the property to see what kind of person he or she is. This is especially important if you are living with a landlord.
If you have the opportunity, observe what kind of people live under the same roof as you and what class of people they come from. It is best if you are living with students.
See if the house is close to a train or bus station and if it is easy to get to school and work.
Whether the rent includes utilities, gas and internet charges, checking with the landlord before you move in is essential.
The rent is affected not only by the area but also by the time students start school. Generally speaking, when school starts, the rent is costly. In Australia, if international students return home from holiday and don’t check out of the house, the rent must be paid as usual. If you have a short time to go back to your home country on holiday, or if you don’t plan to go back to your home country, you can look for an apartment during your holiday.
FAQ
Australia offers diverse lifestyle options, from bustling city life to serene coastal living. Renting an apartment here can provide you with the flexibility to explore these different lifestyles and discover what suits you best.
Australia has various apartment types to suit different needs and budgets, ranging from studio apartments to luxurious penthouses. Each one offers unique features that cater to different lifestyles
The rental cost in Australia can vary greatly depending on the apartment’s location, size, and amenities. Planning your budget wisely and researching the average rental prices in your preferred area is essential.
There are specific legal requirements when renting an apartment in Australia, such as signing a lease agreement and paying a bond. Understanding and respecting these requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth and fair rental process.
When inspecting an apartment, pay attention to the overall condition of the property, including cleanliness, maintenance, security, and any signs of damage. It’s also important to check the facilities and amenities available.
