Renting a House / Property in Australia

Unfurnished Rentals

The property rental market in Australia is not very flexible.

Unfurnished Properties are usually only available for stays of 6 months or more.

Landlords frequently require you to sign a tenancy agreement that will last 12 months.

You should expect an "unfurnished" rental to be equipped with at least a cooker.

Rental properties are advertised by many real-estate agents and can be found in local newspapers.

Adding to the expense of renting is the bond. Nearly all landlords will require you to pay a bond worth 4 weeks rent. The bond is deposited with the State and, assuming you do not damage the property, is returned at the end of your tenancy.

Furnished Rentals

Furnished, long-term rentals are not common in Australia. If you want one, you'll usually need to look harder than if you want an unfurnished rental and, as a result of their relative scarcity, it can be harder to find a furnished house in your preferred area.

Short-term, furnished rentals are also available. These are usually quite expensive - think of them as holiday lets. If you're planning to stay a few weeks in short-term accommodation, you should try to negotiate a discount (if one isn't offered.)