RENTING

Finding a Rental Property

Be Prepared!

The current Canberra rental market is the most difficult we have ever experienced.  Rental properties are in short supply and some time and perseverance is needed to secure accommodation.  Be prepared to commit time and some effort to secure a rental property.

We strongly urge students and visitors to arrive on their own in the first instance and not to bring their families until they have confirmed accommodation.  Have your finances arranged and be able to provide proof of income.  Rental references that can be verified locally may also be of assistance.  ANU can provide confirmation of a position at ANU but cannot give a past rental reference.

What to do first?

• Work out my rental budget
• Decide whether I want to share or live by myself, or live in private board
• Do I need to be close to the University?
• Will I have transport or will I be catching the bus or cycling ?
• What other amenities are important to my lifestyle ?

Things to take into consideration prior to beginning my search:

It is important to plan a budget

All of these expenses will determine where you begin looking for your new home and what your budget limit is.
Spending more than 30% of this income on rent can be considered unaffordable
All of these things are on top of your University fees, loan repayments and any other commitments you might have.

Rentals range from around $A300-400 per week and upwards for an unfurnished apartment or unfurnished small house in Canberra.  Rentals in Queanbeyan(a town on the border of Canberra) are slightly lower - rent for a 2-bedroom apartment will be around $250 per week and upwards.  Furnished accommodation will be about $50 per week more than unfurnished.

Do I want to share a house or live by myself?

Share accommodation (group house) is a great starting point for students new to Canberra.

The benefits of a group house could include security, sharing expenses and domestic responsibilities, making new friendships. Some other factors you need to consider are the lack of privacy, personality clashes and social distractions that may affect your study.

Where there are more than two unrelated people sharing a house or flat it is classified as a group. If there are any changes to the occupants in the house of apartment you need to advise the Landlord. Agreements created without a landlord’s consent have no legal status and this can leave you without legal protection.

Where do I want to live ?

• ANU is situated in Acton which is part of the inner North of Canberra. Suburbs that are nearby include : Turner, Ainslie, Campbell, O’Connor, Hackett, Lyneham, Dickon, Downer and Braddon. Suburbs around Belconnen might be cheaper, but you’ll need to factor in a 30min bus ride.
• Do I need to live close to the University? Accommodation in the inner suburbs is often more expensive than the outer suburbs. Public Transport in Canberra is very accessible in all areas and also very reliable, so it is not a necessity to live close to ANU. To locate a suitable rental property you will need to look in all areas of Canberra, to give yourself the best possible option to suit your budget. You can find a handy map of all the Canberra suburbs here.

Where do I look?

• Housing Online
• Allhomes
• The Canberra times

Other student accommodation options

• Alternative Accommodation in Canberra for students

When should I start to look for off campus housing?

Make sure you arrive in Canberra at least three weeks prior to your intended date of occupancy. Don’t expect to find something on the first day you start looking, give yourself enough time and make sure you have somewhere to stay in the meantime.   Depending on the time of year you arrive, it can take weeks or even months to secure accommodation.  The beginning of the year is the most difficult time.

Some budget temporary accommodation options are:

· Temporary Accommodation Options

Landlords rarely advertise more than one month prior to the occupancy date. How long the search will take will depend on your budget and your personal needs. Usually it takes between 3-6 weeks to find something suitable. You need to be proactive and take the initiative to go out and search for the property you want. If you just wait for something to come to you, you will be disappointed and this can be very stressful.

Be persistent and make sure you have all the paperwork you need to put in an application for a property you are interested in. You may have to view a lot of properties and lodge many applications before you are successful. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the first property you like.

How can University Accommodation Services Help ?

At UAS, we can help you in your search. Our office provides a comfortable space for you to search for accommodation on the net . We have two computers specifically set up for that purpose. We also have a phone for you to make accommodation enquiries and plenty of maps and bus timetables to help you on your way.

Our staff are very knowledgeable about renting in Canberra and can give you help with the questions you may have.

Housing Online- Is a free service provided by the UAS to assist the student and staff community of the ANU find rental accommodation - either in a share house or renting a whole house or unit yourself.  You will deal directly with the person offering the accommodation.

Transport

Walking

(0-5km of campus) try to get houses close to Uni eg. Turner, O’Connor, Braddon, Ainslie, Reid and Campbell for a half hour walk or less – note rents tend to be higher in some of these inner city suburbs

Cycling

(0-20km) any inner north, inner south, inner Belconnen or central Canberra suburb is within an easy ride half hour ride. Transport ANU has a webpage with lots of information about cycling to Uni.

Public Transport

The ANU is directly served by the 34 (enters campus), while the 35, 40, 41, 42, and Intertown services (300 series) run alongside campus, on Marcus Clarke Street, then down Barry Drive. The 116, 117, 243 and 244 also run along Barry Drive. The Civic Bus interchange is around 5 minutes brisk walk from the Civic (east) end of campus and services depart there for much of Canberra. Northbourne Avenue is to the north east of Campus and many services travel through to Dickson, Belconnen, through Civic and to the south. Check the Action Buses website for timetable infomation

Once You’ve Found A Place You Like

• Contact the Real Estate Agent or landlord and ask when you can view the property
• Be prepared with any questions you have about the property

These questions could include:

• What is the address of the Property?
• Is it close to a Bus Station and Shopping Centre ?
• Does it include white goods?
• How long is the term of the agreement?
• Will the Landlord consider groups?
• What type of heating does the property have?
• Is there car accommodation?
• What is the total I would need to pay up front to secure the Property?
• Where is your office located?

Make a good impression! Be well groomed well presented and on time

Fill in an application form, if necessary. Don’t be afraid to attach any supporting documents that you feel may help.

Be persistent! If you really want the property keep in touch with the agent to get updated progress reports on the status of your application. Keep trying, and do not be discouraged if you do not get something straight away

Signing an Agreement

• A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document. Make sure that you read the agreement carefully and understand all of its terms and conditions. Contact us if you are unsure about something in the agreement. It is important to view a property before you sign an agreement; in fact ACT agents will insist on this.

• Bond - you will have to pay bond; this is a refundable deposit on your room or property. It can be up to the equivalent of 4 weeks’ rent. Bond must be lodged with the ACT Office of Rental Bonds, where it is held until you vacate the property. If there are any problems at the final inspection the bond will be held until these problems are rectified

• The ‘Inventory and Condition Report’ (ICR) is a report which outlines the condition of the property, and any furnishings and equipment attached to the premises. The agent will give you three copies of the report, check these very carefully and note any discrepancies on all three copies. The report must be returned within seven days of moving in. A copy will then be lodged with the Office of Rental Bonds with your bond

• Inspections –The Agent or landlord can carry out an initial inspection of the property in the first four weeks and then twice within a twelve month period to check the condition of the property. The landlord must give you seven days notice in writing before an inspection is carried out.

• Breaking your agreement An agreement is a legally binding contract.If agreements are broken in other circumstances then you may be required to pay costs related to the reletting of the property.

• If you require advice on your rights and obligations please contact:Tenants Advice Service Ph. 62471026

Furnishing Your Home

• You may need to buy furniture for your new property. You can save money by buying second hand furniture; and there are many second hand furniture shops in Canberra

• The ANU website has classified ads where students and staff often sell 2nd hand gear

• It is also worth looking at classified ads in newspapers such as the Canberra Times and the Trading Post. You'll find more classified ads for Canberra here

• Remember to consider how you will get your furniture home. Second hand shops normally deliver for a small fee, but check with them first

• You can save money on household items by going to markets, fetes, and garage sales

• ‘Trash and Treasure’ markets are held every Sunday morning in the Jamison Shopping Centre car park in Macquarie, and in the Woden Plaza car park

• Garage Sales and Fetes are advertised in the Saturday edition of the Canberra Times

• You are able to rent electrical items such as TVs and fridges

Conclusion

Don’t rush into any agreement without careful consideration. It is wise to know your limitations financially when looking for a property. However, don’t waste your precious time trying to find the ‘perfect’ accommodation. Like all things in the world, nothing is perfect!