rental properties in Australia

[mogwai]

looking at rental properties on domain.com.au at the moment. It's hard to know whether they are furnished.

I've heard that most places in Aus are unfurnished, but the photos have furniture in them and there's no mention of it in the details.

What's standard? Do you think it's just photos of other people's stuff? Bah?!

Most of them are unfurnished unless they say so in the ad. Furniture is there because tenants/owners still are when place goes on the rental market.

I've been looking too and we're getting differing info from Aussie friends that have moved back there recently re: whiteware. Apparently you more often than not have to have your own fridge, washing machine etc. too.

unless it says furnished - it will be unfurnished - in the kitchen you will have a stove and maybe a dishwasher (considered fixtures) but other than that - unless they specifically say they have something - assume they don't provide it.

mogwai we rented furniture very easily in Sydney until we could afford to buy some.(mostly at yard sales) rented a bed setee table and chairs fridge Tv and iron.
there were plenty of places where you could do this as there seems to be a big transient population from overseas. we sold all we bought before coming home in our own pavement sale.

thanks for this information

pabs looks great but my god - that's so expensive!

what's the chances of finding something furnished?

try radio rentals as well - they do rental deals for electrical goods and have now expanded into furniture.

what's the deal with the bond?

Surely you get it all back providing there's no damage?

Yes, you get the bond back about 2 weeks after moving out.

Letting agents are pretty tough (think "bitch") when you move out. They expect the place to be absolutely pristine, all lightbulbs in, no marks on the walls etc.

I've moved 4 times in 12 months and I'm wise to this now. My current place I took photos of the condition when I moved in so there could be no arguments.

As they are so tough about condition when you move out I'm being tough about condition when I move in and expecting the landlord to live up to all of his obligations re maintenance.

I wasted loads of time when I got here trying to find somewhere furnished. It's a difficult market in Sydney, and your best bet is to get somewhere unfurnished and do it yourself. I did a mixture of rental and Ikea furniture and slowly phased out the rented stuff. Pabs can deliver next day and are really good.

There are a lot of garage sales here too, with backpackers and travellers moving on.

Unless you are doing a corporate let you'll find that properties have an open day - say a saturday from 10.15 - 10.30. Loads of people will turn up and put their applications in then and there. As a professional couple you'll be looked on as a good tenant though, rather than sharers so you probably won't have too many problems.

thanks for this

I hadn't considered using pabs and phasing the stuff out, that's a great idea, as is the idea of taking photos.

My dh is a doctor and is looking to work possibly at the Prince of Wales in Randwick, at the Royal North Shore in St Leonard's or at St Vincents or the Prince Alfred. I think the latter is poorly served for transport.

I was looking at rental costs and Kirribilli seems cheap, as do mosman and a few other places on the lower north shore. I can't work out why they are so much cheaper than, say, Coogee??

What are the areas around Randwick like? Kensington, Bondi Junction etc?

Hi Mogwai. Am not stalking you honest.

I've lived in Bondi Junction and am currently in Coogee.

It depends what you are after really. Coogee is very close to Randwick, so great for the hospital (walking distance). Coogee is a beach town, lots of restaurants and cafes and of course, the beautiful beach. It does get backpackers but I love it here.

Bondi Junction is about 2 miles inland from Bondi Beach. A brilliant (quite posh) shopping town at the end of the line for the underground, so superb links into the city (Coogee doesn't have this, which is why it's a bit cheaper). It's on top of Woollahra, which is very posh, and Paddington, also posh. All of these are 10-15 minutes away from Sydney central. Great locations.

Bondi Beach is quite young, backpacky but has a good vibe. I enjoyed being close to there. The surf is too strong for toddlers but there are some good rock pools (paddling pools) there that are suitable.

I'm happier in Coogee than I was in Bondi Junction, Bondi or Woollahra, but mainly because I'm right on top of the beach and have everything I need within a 5 minute walk.

I go to Bondi Junction to shop, it's about a 15 minute drive away and has everything you would ever need - biggest Westfield shopping centre in Australia I believe - very smart and modern with a cinema at the top. I saw Harrison Ford and Calista there a few weeks ago.

Kensington has amazing houses - huge, huge great places with swimming pools, cellars and bars. It's quite isolated for public transport & walking (good golf course though), but great for a car. If you ever fancied buying a million pound house in the UK, you'd find one like it here.

Can't tell you much about the North shore and Mosman. I guess they are cheaper because they are outside of Sydney central.

I have heard though that the North shore is great and has a good reputation for expats.

East Sydney is expensive - it's close to the city - about 10 minutes away, but also close to a beach. Think how much that would cost in London

stalk me all you like, it's fab to get the lowdown.

We were last in Australia in 2002 and we went to Bondi then drove down the coast to Coogee. I remember Coogee well; we sat on some concrete steps running down to the beach and drank smoothies, funnily enough.

Bondi seemed to have a great vibe. Spent an afternoon there and also an evening (fish and chips from the wrapper...mmmm). The beaches at Bronte and Clovelly also seemed nice.

Right. No more wobbling. Will keep you posted, but thanks for all your thoughts.