| If you're a new migrant to Australia, you're probably | | | | your particular lease agreement if you have questions |
| looking for a flat or house to live in. Most capital cities | | | | about anything. |
| have competitive rental and housing markets and it | | | | Before you commence a rental tenancy, you will also |
| can take some time to find exactly what you're looking | | | | be asked for a security bond, which is money to cover |
| for. If you are looking to purchase a home, you'll be in | | | | any damage to the property or loss of rent that the |
| for even more fun. | | | | landlord may incur during your tenancy. Usually the |
| When choosing temporary accommodation for your | | | | amount of the bond is equal to one month's rent, |
| first few weeks in Australia, try to select a place | | | | however, under certain circumstances, the landlord can |
| where you will be able to extend your time easily if | | | | ask for more than one month's rent. The bond cannot |
| you need to. It could take you a month or more to find | | | | be used towards any part of your rent. You will also |
| a rental and you should be prepared for this. If you are | | | | be asked to provide one month's rent in advance. |
| coming to work on an employer sponsored migration | | | | Before you move in, you will fill out a condition report |
| visa, ask your company to help you choose an | | | | that notes any pre-existing damages or irregularities to |
| executive rental. Most companies are happy to help | | | | the property prior to moving in. Be sure to keep a |
| their employees with temporary housing when they | | | | copy of this report so that you have evidence to |
| are moving to a new country and some even have | | | | show that you did not damage the property if there |
| special apartments that they own for this purpose. | | | | are any disputes about the bond at the end of the |
| If you are a single person, you might want to try | | | | lease. |
| shared housing, especially if you are young and want | | | | If you decide to purchase a property, know that it can |
| to meet new people right away. You'll also save a lot | | | | take some time to transfer ownership of the property. |
| of money doing this, as it can be expensive to live | | | | 'Settlement' is when the exchange of money and |
| alone. If you want to go solo, you'll need to find a | | | | property between the owner and the buyer (and the |
| property in a price range that property managers will | | | | bank if the buyer is taking out a mortgage) takes |
| deem your salary sufficient to afford (usually your rent | | | | place. So you will need to allow more time before you |
| must not be more than one-third of your salary). You | | | | are able to move into a purchased property. The |
| may also encounter some private listings when you | | | | Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) must make a |
| look through the newspapers or online. Renting a | | | | decision on any proposed purchases by non-citizens or |
| property through a private individual can be a more | | | | non-permanent residents of Australia. These decisions |
| flexible experience than renting through a real estate | | | | can take thirty days. It can be cost prohibitive to |
| agent. Each state has laws that govern professional | | | | purchase property in Australia due to the high cost of |
| agents and independent landlords equally, and you will | | | | Stamp Duty, a non-refundable tax paid by buyers of |
| be protected under the same rules and provided with | | | | properties. The tax is based on a percentage of the |
| the same rights and obligations as if you rent from a | | | | purchase price of your home so it can become very |
| professional agent. | | | | expensive if you are buying a pricey place to live. If the |
| Each state has different laws and different governing | | | | FIRB requires that you sell your home when you leave |
| bodies that enforce housing rules. You will be provided | | | | Australia, you may want to determine whether it is in |
| with the rules in your state once you sign a rental | | | | your best financial interests to purchase a property for |
| agreement. The most popular websites used to find | | | | such a short amount of time. If you are planning to |
| properties for sale or rent are listed below. Properties | | | | stay permanently, this becomes less of an issue. |
| are available for viewing either by appointment, at | | | | You may wish to enlist the assistance of a buyer's |
| 'open for inspection' times or by picking up the keys | | | | agent if you plan to purchase a property and would |
| from the leasing agent's office (a deposit may be | | | | like help to get the best deal. You can find a list of |
| required and conditions will apply). Once you find a | | | | reputable buyers' agents through The Property Buyer's |
| place that you're interested in, you can ask for a | | | | Agents Association of Australia or Real Estate |
| residential tenancy application. The landlord or agent will | | | | Buyers' Agents Association of Australia. Your buyer |
| ask for formal identification such as a driver's license | | | | will probably be able to start assisting you before you |
| or passport, your employment details and references. | | | | arrive in Australia. |
| You may also have to provide bank statements, birth | | | | Online Resources you can consult |
| certificates, a rental history and a mortgage statement | | | | Allhomes (listings) |
| from your last country of residence if applicable. | | | | Domain (listings) |
| If you are successful in your application for a rental | | | | Easy Roommate |
| property, you will be asked to sign a standard tenancy | | | | Share accommodation and flatmates ads |
| agreement, which may include a supplementary | | | | au |
| annexure covering additional conditions you must | | | | Australia's largest free website listing flatmates, share |
| agree to as a tenant. There are two types of tenancy | | | | houses and shared accommodation in Sydney, |
| agreements in Australia. The first type of agreement is | | | | Melbourne and Brisbane |
| a fixed-term agreement, which is set for a specific | | | | Gumtree ads |
| period of time (usually one year). The second type, a | | | | This link will take you to the Sydney listings, but you |
| periodic or month-to-month agreement, goes from | | | | can just change city to go to your own local listings. |
| week-to-week or month-to-month. The primary | | | | Hospitality Exchange |
| differences between the two are the ability of the | | | | Free accommodation worldwide |
| landlord to raise rent (usually only after the fixed term | | | | au |
| ends and only every six months for a periodic | | | | Free share accommodation ads with articles and |
| agreement) and the notice periods required for certain | | | | noticeboards |
| actions during the tenancy such as terminating the | | | | Housepals: This is a British-based house and flat share |
| agreement. You usually must give a certain number of | | | | website with listings in Australia. |
| weeks' notice before vacating your property at the | | | | Local Voices |
| end of a fixed-term agreement, even if the agreement | | | | Check out reviews from locals before you sign that |
| ends on a specific date. Please check the details of | | | | lease. |