Accommodation
Accommodation in General
For a detailed guide to renting accommodation in Melbourne and Canberra: www.realestate.com.au Click on Rental Properties, and then click on Rental Information.
Below is a brief guide to obtaining accommodation in Australia :
| Bond | 1 month's rent for rental properties |
| Rent in Advance | Up to 4 weeks for rental properties |
| Other Costs | Removal costs, furniture and equipment purchase, electricity and telephone connection fees |
Utilities (Gas, Electricity & Water)
Costs
Budget approximately
$20 per week in a shared household or $25 per week if living
on your own. Allow more in winter, especially if heating
is electric.
Insurance
Regardless of what type of accommodation you take,
the contents of your room should be covered by your own Home
Contents Insurance Policy.
Leases or Agreements
You should always have either a written
lease or occupancy agreement which states any or all of the
following:
- commencement date of occupation
- rent payable and how often
- what is included in the rent (services and utilities)
- what facilities you can use and house rules or tenancy regulations to observe
- what period of advanced notice required to vacate the premises
You should also conduct a written Condition Report of your room or property upon moving in, and maintain a copy of the Report in the event there is a dispute concerning damage or cleanliness upon you vacating.
Bond, Rent Payment Receipts & Documentation
If
you are required to pay a bond, you and the landlord (or
agent) must complete a Bond Lodgement Form and the bond must
be paid to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. You
should keep a copy of this form together with all receipts
for payment of monies for rent, your share of utilities and
other documentation in a personal file to support your case
in the event of a dispute.
Tenancies Disputes
For further details
regarding Tenant and Landlord Rights and Obligations, refer
to the following websites:
Canberra
http://users.bigpond.net.au/TU/contact.html
www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/housing/lessorandtenant
Melbourne
www.tuv.org.au
