It is expected that ordinary Aussies will stand a good chance of renting in 2018. Here are 6 tips to secure your rental.
1. Always write a cover letter
According to Dan F. Stapleton, journalist, including a cover letter with your application can dramatically improve your chances of securing a rental.
A landlord has final say over who is granted the lease. You can make a personal connection with the landlord through a cover letter.
2. Gather everything you’ll need – and then some
At the time of application, some agents do not require additional documentation such as proof of ID and written references to be supplied.
However, according to an article published in domain.com.au, providing ample references and other documents from the outset can also give you an advantage over less organised applicants.
3. Apply online if you can
When prospective tenants submit their rental application through the online, you can save a lot of work for agents.
“It’s the first thing I go to now in the application because it gives me a better indication of who we’re dealing with.” Eileen Carroll, sales director of Ray White Glebe, said.
4. Think carefully before offering more than the listed price
Tenants are being encouraged by landlords and property managers to offer more than the stated rent in order to secure the property. This practice is called ‘rental bidding’.
Leo Patterson Ross, advocacy and research officer at the Tenants Union of New South Wales, concedes that this strategy can be effective for those who can afford it.
But he cautions that rental bidding can set a dangerous precedent.
5. Be ready to pay your deposit
According to an article published in domain.com.au, having your application approved does not guarantee that the agent will hold the property for you.
“If I call someone in the morning, tell them their application has been approved and ask for their deposit, and they say, ‘Oh, I’ll pay it later this afternoon’, I automatically go to the next application,” says Carroll.
“If they’re going to pay it later that afternoon, that tells me they can’t afford my property.”
6. Choose the most suitable month to apply
According to Domain data, rental listings are at their lowest levels between late December and late January, when much of the country is on holiday. But some rental properties are open for inspection during this time.
Carroll says house-hunting in quiet early January can mean less competition and a better chance of striking up a relationship with a rental agent.
Source: domain.com.au
