Check the tenancy agreement for details

If you are thinking about moving into a share house or flat - here's some stuff you should be thinking about:

• Think carefully about what's important to you in a house, and then make a list of what you want such as: how many people do you want to live with? How much are you prepared to pay each week?
• Check out the newspapers 'To Let' and 'Share Accommodation' sections in the private rental market. Have a look at local community papers, as well as daily papers like the Sydney Morning Herald. Also check community noticeboards, or if you are a student, there may be an accommodation officer who can help you.
• If you and a friend or group of friends are eligible for public housing, you can apply for share housing through the Department of Housing. Most people sharing Departmental accommodation are family or partners, but all applications from prospective co-tenants will be accepted and assessed for eligibility.

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Checking out the new pad

When considering a property for rental it is important to take different factors into consideration before deciding whether to proceed with the tenancy. Consider things like:

• Is the house/flat close to public transport, friends, shops, work, school?
• Is it noisy - is it on a flight path or near a busy road? Can you put up with the noise?
• What's the parking like?
• Is there good security - are there locks on the windows and doors?
• Does the place need repairs - If so will the landlord carry out any necessary repairs before you move in? Do you have this in writing?
• What is the weekly rent? How often do you have to pay? You normally have to pay two weeks in advance, but if your rent is over $300 per week you may have to pay a month in advance.
• How is the rent paid? Does the landlord collect? Do you pay at the agents office? Check the tenancy agreement for details.

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Decided to take the place?

Make sure you fully understand what you're getting yourself into. Read all documents before you sign them and ask as many questions as you need to, also, make sure you receive written receipts for any payments you make.

• If you decide a place is right for you and your friends, you will probably be asked to sign an Application for Tenancy form, and pay a reservation fee. If your application is approved, the reservation fee becomes the rent for the first week of the tenancy. If you don't get the place the money should be returned to you in full. If you change your mind and decide not to rent the place, you may lose part or the whole of your reservation fee.
• When you sign the tenancy agreement, you and your friends may be required to pay a rental bond. Ensure that everyone who pays a portion of the bond is listed on and signs the bond lodgement form. This will allow the bond to be refunded correctly at the end of the tenancy.
• You will also be given a condition report to complete as part of the agreement. Fill this out in as much detail as possible so you have proof of the condition of the place if the landlord tries to claim the bond at the end of the tenancy or claims compensation for damage to the premises and you disagree with it.

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Problems? - a few tips

Some of the most common problems flatmates face as tenants are the landlord/agents refusal to do repairs, provide reasonable security or respect your privacy. The following are some suggestions for getting the reluctant landlord or real estate agent to do what they should.

• Notify your landlord/agent as soon as you become aware of a problem. Complain in person or on the phone and then follow up with a letter confirming what was said. If you like, take someone along to act as a witness if you go to see the landlord/agent about the problem.
• Any follow up letter should clearly outline the problem, what you want done and the history of your complaint ie. when you first made contact etc. This will support your case if you have to apply to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal to deal with the problem. Always keep copies of all your letters.
• Keep a diary of your conversations with the landlord/agent/head tenant. Buy an exercise book especially for this purpose and keep it safely with your tenancy agreement, rent and bond receipts. Record all the times and dates of conversations, who you spoke to and what they agreed to do.
• Do NOT stop paying rent at any stage regardless of what the landlord/agent/head tenant does or doesn't do. Fourteen days rent arrears is sufficient grounds for your landlord to give you 14 days notice to leave. It's much safer and much more effective to apply to the Tribunal for a solution.
• Don't move out without giving the required notice as you may end up losing your bond and/or compensating the landlord.
• If nothing happens, apply to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal for an order.

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