Renting in Australia

[slipperandpjsmum]

Can anyone offer advice, hints and tips? Does anyone know any good house let companies?

depends where you are looking. realestate.com.au have rental listings.

bump

PomzinOz forum is good for this.

Also try domain.com.au. Be aware that real estate photography is VERY creative here! What looks great on screen may well be a shit hole - we had to up our rental budget by $200 a week on arrival despite having done loads of research because most places in our original budget turned out to be dumps.

Do your research on different areas carefully, it can be hard (emotionally and practically) to move once kids get settled into schools, sports clubs etc. I know a lot of people here (Sydney) who are really living in areas they cannot afford (and will never be able to buy in) but the thought of making kids move schools again is too hard.

Make sure you take your own photos on entry. Make notes on property inspection documents etc. Apply for rent assistance with centrelink if applicable :)