How to successfully secure a rental property
Securing a rental property can be a challenging proposition in a strong market, with competition fierce among prospective tenant. Here are 7 tips to help you secure a rental, on your terms.
Securing a rental property can be a challenging proposition in a strong market, with competition fierce among prospective tenant. Here are 7 tips to help you secure a rental, on your terms.
- Read the advertisement fully
Check the lease term, pet clauses if any, particular criteria etc to ensure you don’t waste both your time and that of others in attending.
- Be neat, arrive on time and be polite on arrival
It will work in your favour. The earlier you arrive the more time you have to impress the Property Manager. It’s no different to a job interview only you have less time to impress so look good, behave well, show interest and engage the Property Manager if time permits.
- Do not attempt to negotiate the rent down prior to viewing a property
Inspect, apply at a lower rate and be prepared to lose the property if the market is strong. The better the application, the better the chance of a rent negotiation. Gauge the market beforehand.
- Ensure your applications are ready to go
If you are keen, get your applications off when you get home rather than wait until the following day. Although they might not be checked until the following week, showing interest by lodging applications quickly does not go unnoticed. Make sure you have a ledger from your current domicile as well as any written references which may assist.
- Make sure your referees are aware of your application and available
If they won’t talk to us because you have not given them the authority to do so and there are a number of applicants for a property, the Property Manager will move onto the next applicant.
- Make sure you really want to be considered if you apply
There is work involved in checking applications so don’t waste the Property Manager’s time, only apply if you want to move into the property.
- Ensure you have the required funds
Initially a Holding Deposit, then the Bond and remaining rent by the move-in date.