The Insider’s Guide to Renting a House

As housingprices continue to increase in the major cities and demand for rentalproperties grows, securing your ideal rental can sometimes feel like animpossible task. Between jostling your way into countless open homes eachSaturday and feeling obliged to offer above the listed rental price (or even payingupfront), the rental game is tough. To help breakdown the process, we spokewith Property Management Director for Belle Property Avalon, Laura Mears, toget her expert advice on how to make the renting process as stress-free aspossible. Here are some simple (and cheaper) ways to stand out from the crowd.

What property managers and landlords looking for in a tenant


It’s notuncommon to turn up to an open house and find a crowd of twenty-plus peopleviewing the same property. So, what will set you apart from the rest?

Reliable and stableemployment

Ideally,property managers and landlords are looking for tenants with secure employmentwho are able to demonstrate a stable tenancy background.

Easy to deal with

We do tendto gravitate towards tenants who seem like they would be easy to deal withduring the tenancy. If someone has been pleasant and easy to deal with duringthe application process, they stand a better chance of winning the tenancy.

Organised andprepared

A lack oforganisation is one of the most common reasons why prospective tenants lose outon rental properties.

How to make a solid first impression at the open home


Arrive on time

It’s reallydifficult to make appointments at tenanted properties, so if you can’t turn upto the inspection on time, then your chances of winning the property aresignificantly lessened.

Tenants whoare keen to impress should make sure they turn up at the scheduled time, lookpresentable and have all the required documentation ready to go to improvetheir chances of impressing a landlord or property manager.

Open homesonly last for 30-45mins, so it’s best to get in early to avoid missing out orforcing the Property Manager to stay longer.

Make sure you arewell-presented

Make theeffort to look good on the inside and out. A smart-casual outfit and a positiveattitude will put you in good stead for a long day of open home hopping.

If you areinterested in the property, let the Property Manager know

Make yourinterest known to the Property Manager before you leave. This will help themput a face to the name when you submit your application.

How to get your application noticed


Competitionin the rental market is fierce, especially if you are looking in and around thecity. Here are some tips on how to get your application to the top of the pile.

Prepare yourapplication as if it is a job interview

Theycomplete all the information requested on the application, itemise their 100points of ID and provide all the financial and reference items requested. Thebest applicants will even submit a cover letter explaining who they are.

Provide all theinformation

Whenputting in your application, make sure you’re fully prepared and provide allthe information that is requested.

Review theapplication before submitting

Askyourself: “Have you provided all the documentation that is required? Have youincluded current pay slips and rental ledgers?

When you keep getting knocked back…


If you’ve ever missed out to another tenant on a lease application, then you’re not alone. These are some sure-fire ways to help you get approved on your next application.

Have you provided detailed information around your income?

A frequent mistake tenants make when applying for properties is submitting incomplete tenancy applications, and not providing proof of income. This can be a bit of a warning sign to property managers and landlords. If you’re unable to provide proof of income when asked, is there a possible issue with your employment?

Constantly re-evaluate your application process

Take a step back and look at how you have been preparing your application. Property managers don’t always have the time to chase you up, so if these documents are missing, you lessen your chances of being selected.

Ask for feedback from the Property Manager’s you have dealt with

If you miss out on a property you were really keen on, let the property manager know and ask if they have any feedback which might help your future application.

Good agents will be able to help you rectify any flaws, and by building up a rapport with them, you might find they are able to help you secure a property next time round.

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