Finding a rental apartment in Sydney can be tough, but knowing how to navigate the world of real estate agencies and rental contracts will make the process easier.
Waterfront homes in Sydney
The Sydney rental market is not for the faint of heart. It requires time, effort, and a lot of patience. Hotels and hostels are not long-term options as they can be expensive, so when moving to Sydney, try and find a place to live as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, rent is not cheap in this part of the country. Sydney is one of the more popular cities in Australia, and also one of the priciest. Renting a studio apartment can cost as much as a 2-bedroom house in another Australian city.
The rental market in Sydney is booming and estate agents and landlords have no trouble filling available accommodation. To top it off, the competition is stiff and it is not unheard of for potential renters to actually offer more than the asking rental rate.
Finding a Rental in Sydney – Private or Agency?
There are two main ways to find a rental in Sydney: either privately or through a rental agency.
There are plenty of private listings from people renting out rooms, apartments or houses that they own. These can be found in online classifieds like Gumtree.com, or in newspapers.
Going through an agency is more complicated. Most agencies have branches in almost every suburb in Sydney. Decide on an area to live and contact the nearest agency office. They will be able to provide a list of their latest rentals and put you on their mailing list for any future rentals. Renters can also visit the agency’s website which has a full listing of available properties.
Each week, rental agencies hold public showings of available properties. Be prepared to spend your Saturdays going from viewing to viewing, as most of them are shown only on that day. Each viewing lasts between 15 – 20 minutes, which means prospective tenants have to get there early to check it out. Viewings are open to the public, so you’ll be looking at a rental along with everyone else who is interested in the place.
Tips on Finding a Rental
Plan your day accordingly.
Many places have viewings that are at the same time, or 15 minutes apart, so know the places that you want to see ahead of time and try and see several in the same neighborhood.
Attend weekday viewings.
Sometimes a rental agency will have a viewing during the week. This is a good chance to gain the upper hand over other prospective applicants, as there are fewer people who are able to view a place on a weekday. It means that you have a better chance of getting your application in first.
Rent a studio.
If you are single, or a couple, the competition is not as stiff for studio apartments. Most renters are looking for larger places.
Come prepared.
Have a copy of your bank statement and passport or driver’s license on hand, to attach to your application. Many agencies require this and it helps you turn in your application sooner.
Finding a rental apartment in Sydney can be a daunting process, but don’t give up. When you do find a place, you not only have a new area to explore, you’re also living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
More Sydney Rental Resources
Domain.com.au
Realestate.com.au
Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile
It's a Small World After All 