Guide to finding the perfect rental

July 10, 2015 - 2 min read

Are you looking to rent? While moving place can be exciting, there are a number of things you need to consider before signing the dotted line on a lease. From unruly neighbours to unrealistic rates, it doesn’t take much to turn your perfect new rental into a complete nightmare.

Whether you’re looking to move into your first apartment or you just need a place fit for the whole family, it’s important to get a property that ticks all the boxes. We’ve got a guide that can help make the process of finding the right rental a lot easier.


Set a budget

Sometimes your eyes can be bigger than your wallet. While you may think you can afford that beautiful apartment overlooking the beach, you need to remember all the other costs you’ll have to pay along the way. From electricity, gas and water bills to groceries, wi-fi and car expenses, you need to make sure you’re comfortable, not just physically but financially too!


Understand your minimum requirements

Whether you’re a tradie who needs a parking space for their truck or you’ve got pets and need to make sure they have a backyard, make sure all your needs are met before putting pen to paper. While a pool and a tennis court might be appealing, you need to focus on any deal-breakers before you start worrying about all the bells and whistles.


Know your type

Whether you’re looking for a duplex, apartment or house, there’s a type of rental to suit your taste. For example, if you’re someone who likes their privacy, you wouldn’t go signing a lease on a small apartment in a packed complex.


You can’t pick your neighbours or landlord

No matter how seemingly perfect your potential rental may be, it can all be ruined with a bad landlord or a few disrespectful neighbours. While these may be hard to gauge before you sign the lease, sometimes it’s all about your gut feelings. If your landlord is giving off bad vibes or you can hear your neighbours being loud when you inspect the rental, back away!


Location, location, location!

Just like when you’re purchasing a property, location is just as vital when renting. If you love the beach or want to be close to all the action, it might be worth sacrificing a bigger living space in order to do so. Travelling long distances to work each day can wear you down after a while, so we suggest picking a few suburbs where you would consider living and stick with them.