Renting and Leasing

For 2006 the approximate rent or leasing cost for an unfurnished one or two bedroom unit close to UWA is between $220-$380 per week. Renting a house is more expensive (unless you share with a few other people), and you should consider establishment costs when you move. Some other things to consider:

• Cost
• Location
• Condition
• Security
• Furniture/Facilities
• Questions you may need to ask either during inspection or before
• Property Condition Report
• Signing a lease
• The Bond
• Useful contact numbers

• Cost
  The initial outlay to get into a property can be quite expensive. Remember you may have to pay a bond (usually 4 weeks rent) and two weeks rent in advance, a total of 7 weeks rent. (Private landlords cannot charge a letting fee).  There are also connection fees for telephone, gas and some internet providers.  If the property does not have an active telephone line, this may cost $144 for reconnection and wiring.  This needs to be discussed with your landlord BEFORE any rental or lease agreement is made.

• Location 
  The closer to the University, the more expensive it usually is. Cheaper accommodation may be found further from the campus, but increased transport costs and travelling time need to be considered.

• Condition
  You MUST get a property condition report that outlines the condition of the accommodation when you move in. This will protect you against the cost of damages for which you were not responsible. It is not a legal requirement for landlords to provide you with a copy, but you can submit one regardless.  Sample Property Condition Reports can be downloaded from www.docep.wa.gov.au or available from the Housing Office, Student Services.

• Security
  Check for security screens on windows, doors and lockable windows, particularly on ground floor apartments/units.  By law, all rental properties must have working smoke detectors, so check this with your landlord or agent.

• Furniture/Facilities
  Renting furnished or partly furnished properties may be available, avoiding the need to buy essential furniture items.  However you are solely responsible for the general cleanliness and maintenance of any items of furniture in the property.  The Owner is liable to fix it should it break down with normal use, but if you or your friends damage any thing through improper use, you need to pay for it.  There are second-hand furniture from places like the Salvation Army where you can pick up quality second hand items which you may sell later. A list of second hand furniture shops is available from Student Services.

• Questions you may need to ask either during inspection or before
  • How much is the rent?  You can nominate to pay a cheaper rent, but the Owner may not agree to it.
  • Does the rent include gas, electricity and water?
  • Is there a bond? How much is it?
  • Do you have to pay rent in advance? If so, how many weeks?
  • Are there any other charges?
  • If you sign a lease please READ IT FIRST.  Consider: how long is it for? What happens if I need to leave before the lease expires? How much notice will you have to give if you want to leave?
  • Are there good locks on the doors and windows? Is there a smoke alarm?

In some instances, you can complete an 'Application for Tenancy' form for a property, particularly if demand is very high.  In this application, you can pay an 'Option fee'  which is then deducted from your establishment costs if the property is offered to you.  The 'Option fee' is only refunded when your application is not successful.  The fee is not refunded if the property is offered to you but you changed your mind.

• Property Condition Report
  When you take out a lease on a house or flat, it is advisable to request a Property Condition Report from the owner or agent. The report is complied with the owner or agent, the tenant and an independent witness. You will go through the property, listing the condition of each room and the garden/yard, including any items damaged before you moved in. This protects you against loss of bond money at the end of your tenancy for damage or losses for which you were not responsible. Make sure the Property Condition Report is dated, signed and witnessed.

If the agent/landlord does not complete a Property Condition Report you should complete one yourself. Have the report witnessed and send a copy of it to the landlord/agent for their records. Blank forms are available from the Housing Officer in Student Services. It is often a good idea to also take photos of each room and any damaged items to support the comments in the Property Condition Report.

• Signing a Lease
  You should always sign a LEASE when renting a house, flat or unit. This will clearly state your obligation as tenant and those of the owner. Read the lease carefully. If you don't understand it or if there is anything you are unsure about, always ask for assistance or come and see the Housing Officer at Student Services (phone 6488 3547). Remember it is expensive to break a lease, so be sure you are happy with the accommodation before you sign the lease.

• The Bond
  The bond is usually the equivalent of 4 weeks rent.  Make sure you know where your bond money has been lodged. It must be lodged with the Bond Administrator or in an joint bank account requiring both your signature and that of the accommodation provider. You must be given a receipt and a copy of the bond lodgement form.

Remember - get a receipt for any money that you pay to your landlord/agent and keep copies of all correspondence with the landlord until your bond has been returned.

• Useful Contact Numbers
  
  Department of Commerce, Consumer Protection: This Government agency can help with tenancy issues and can tell you your rights as a tenant or a landlord. The office is located at 219 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000. Consumer Protection Advice Line: 1300 304 054. Web: www.commerce.wa.gov.au

Department of Housing: the main office is located at 99 Plain Street, East Perth, phone: (08) 9222 4666. Web: www.dhw.wa.gov.au  Although this agency can not offer priority housing to students, it does offer Bond Assistance loans to eligible students in the form of an interest free loan to help you get into a private rental property. (Bond assistance is not available for bonds related to lodging or boarding). The eligibility criteria for bond assistance is:

• The rent cannot be more than 60 % of your gross income.
• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have an income within the agency's limits.
• to have no current debts to the agency 
• three forms of appropriate identification i.e.. passport, driver's licence.
• verify bank balance (take most recent back statement).
• not be the owner of any land or property.
• not owe any previous bond money.
• not have already paid the bond
• provide proof of income including Centrelink
  
  You can apply for Bond Assistance at any Homeswest office. For more information, visit the DHW website.

The Tenant's Advice Service provides information regarding tenants' issues such as eviction, tenancy agreements, cost of rent, information on landlords' responsibilities and tenants' responsibilities, property reports, bond disputes, repairs and rent increases, to name a few. This is all covered by the Residential Tenancy Act. Tenant's Advice Service will not comment on or intervene in disputes between tenants in a particular household.

Metro Line (08) 9221 0088	Country Line 1800 621 888
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 12pm Wednesday 2.30pm - 7pm (additional time on Wednesday only)	Monday - Friday 1pm - 2.30pm (answering machine available at other times)