Main Menu Home About TU Contact FAQ Other Sites Advice Menu Advice Home Access/Privacy Bond Tenancy Eviction Rent Repairs Sale Ending Checklist Be aware of your rights Seek advice if not sure JOIN the Tenants' Union GET INVOLVED Become a member and strengthen the Union's voice on housing issues

Looking for a new home? Here are some things you should consider before signing on the dotted line! Finding a suitable property When you inspect a property you are thinking about renting, make sure to be thorough. Take your time, ask questions, and don't let the lessor or real estate agent rush you. You might want to think about / check for: Whether everything works – check lights, the stove, power points etc. Insulation (or an Energy Efficiency Rating if available) Signs of pests or vermin The garden – will it take a lot of work or water to maintain? Security – check locks on doors and windows and ensure there are keys to all of them Hot water capacity – is the hot water system adequate? Mould / dampness / leaks – does the bathroom have adequate ventilation?  The heating – will it heat the whole property? Check it even if you are renting in Summer! Noise levels – is it close to a main road or shopping centre? For a more detailed checklist to take with you click here. Read the Tenancy Agreement carefully. If you don't understand something, don’t sign it immediately. Don't be wary of asking questions, you are committing to a legal document. If the lessor/agent offers to do anything (e.g. replace the oven, paint a room, install a heater), get that undertaking in writing before you sign the Agreement. Costs Being a tenant can get expensive, and not just because of the rent. Here are some other potential costs to consider. At the beginning of a tenancy – budget for: Moving Furniture Insurance Connection fees – electricity, gas, telephone House needs – food staples, crockery, utensils, bedding Rent in advance (can be up to four weeks) Bond (can be up to the equivalent of four weeks rent). During a tenancy – budget for: Electricity Phone Food Heating Water usage ...and rent! Negotiation Remember, you can always try negotiating with your landlord (or the real estate agent) if for some reason you aren't getting what you were promised when the tenancy began. Try asking for a rent reduction or a rent free period. If you come to an agreement either about things to be done or rent free periods etc, make sure it is IN WRITING, signed and dated.  If you don't get it in writing, confirm the agreement in writing yourself, and remember to keep a copy. Keep a tenancy file Set up a manila folder or similar, and put in it: your copy of the Tenancy Agreement; the condition report (sometimes called "inventory"; rent receipts; copies of letters or emails you have written or received; photos of the property at the start of the tenancy, and so on. Share housing If you are moving into a share house, consider drawing up a written agreement between the tenants that clarifies potential issues – think about bills (payment, proportions), moving out (notice, advertising), cleaning, visitors, and use of common areas. Have everyone sign this agreement and pin up a copy where everyone can see it (e.g. on the fridge). Click here for a sample agreement.  For much more detail on share housing check out our Share Housing Guide, click here