How do I find an affordable place to live?

How do I find a rental that I can afford?

This is the question many tenants are asking.

Families, couples and singles are finding they are being priced out of their home and suburb.

It is a serious situation.  In just a few weeks I have personally spoken to families who are homeless. 

One family I chatted to have been without a permanent home for 6 months.  A single Mum with four children, three of which have special needs, have lived with three different sets of friends, moving every two months.  Unable to house their pets too, they had no choice but to pay expensive boarding fees, which made saving up for a bond, even harder.  

Another family I chatted to were given a new lease and a notice to leave on the same day and told to sign the lease but the agency reserved the right not to sign it and proceed with the notice to leave instead - depending on what the owner wanted to do.  The owner chose to sell and this family had no choice but to take the first home they could which was infested with rodents and had mould issues.  This is unacceptable.  

One young Mum said she was sharing a two bedroom unit with her sister and three children.

Another gentleman lost his rental as the council deemed his granny flat illegal and he is sleeping in a friend's shed with no water and an extension cord for power.

What can you do to find a rental??

COMPLEXES - Many onsite managers in complexes avoid the hefty realestate.com.au subscription costs and advertise locally - it's worth driving round and chatting to complex managers, often they will have 3 bed townshouse or 2 bed villas for great prices, and often complexes come with a pool.

COMMUNITY FACEBOOK PAGES - Use a photo of yourself (and your family/partner) and put a post out on social media in the local community groups.  Explain your story, where you would like to live, your requirements in terms of bedrooms/bathroom/yard (but don't be too specific) and be prepared to compromise.  Don't forget to include your top budget and if you have any pets.  Your post might reach someone about to break lease, a private owner with a rental or a local agent.

OTHER AREAS - if it's practical to move further afield, have a look at suburbs online you may not have considered, and use domain.com.au - they offer a free subscription to agents so there may be some properties on there that aren't on realestate.com.au.  Places like Park Ridge in Queensland have brand new 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes for great rental figures.

NRAS - Contact an agency like Horizon housing - https://horizonhrl.com.au/ for information on affordable housing for low income families or single parents

PAST REAL ESTATE property managers - do you have a good past experience with a property manager from a previous rental?  Call them and see if they have anything that would suit you.

LEDGER - Grab your ledger (assuming it's awesome!) and a cover letter with photo  and walk in to the local real estates, have a chat at the front desk and leave your details, make a good impression and you may find you get a call.

If you would like any advice or help, you can email us at [email protected]

 

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