BUDGET RENTAL PROPERTY

Moving house can be a very stressful activity, though often exciting, and finding the ideal new home to rent is one of the first hurdles to be overcome. With some fore-thought and planning, this can be made much simpler and more enjoyable.

Importantly, you should set your budget rent amount. By setting yourself an upper limit which is well within your means, you will be less likely to pay more than your weekly budget will allow should you get caught with a "spur of the moment" decision.

Write down a list of the facilities you require in a rental property, and also include those you would like to have if the opportunity presents itself. How many bedrooms? Bathrooms? One or two storey? Unit or house? Garage? Extra entertaining areas? Carpets? Built-ins? Garden? Lawns?

What location would you like to live in... do you want hills, beach, near to city?  What about local facilities such as transport, schools or shops? How close do you want to live to your work, or extended family? Do you have kids and what facilities would the rental property need to fulfill their needs, such as good fences, areas for play, a swimming pool? What about pets... do you need rental properties that allow them, good fencing, maybe no carpets? Will your budget force you to reconsider some of these choices very early in your search?

Once you made these lists, which of the items you have written down are necessities for the rental property, and which are only really "nice to have" ?

Now that you are clear on what you want and don't want in a rental property, review the budget you have already set. If it is achievable, the search begins!

Most people start by reading the newspapers and by contacting real estate companies, either by telephone or by visiting their web sites. However you start your search, demand is currently very high in Australia for budget rental properties so be aware that it's " the early bird that catches the worm "!

There are also rental agencies that will offer (for a fee) to help you find a rental property. For people who have difficulties because of pets, or special circumstances, the use of an agency can often be quite a good option. However, do your own research first and make sure you will actually get additional benefit from paying an agent a fee.

Click here for South Australia Accommodation Information

Rental Properties Australia - http://www.domain.com.au

From the web site - a sample of a Renter's Checklist

• Tell your landlord you'll be moving. This requires a written notice of a period as determined in your copy of the lease agreement.
  
  
• Ask your current landlord and employer for letters of reference.
  
  
• Make any necessary arrangements to find flatmates for your new place.
  
  
• Look through domain.com.au to see what rental properties are available, and arrange times to inspect the properties that interest you.
  
  
• Organise an inspection at your old rental property so you can collect your rental bond.
  
  
• Arrange to start utilities - telephone, electricity and gas – at your new rental property.
  
  
• Line up a removalist or a few friends to help shift everything to the new rental property.
  
  
• Plan where you'll put the big items of furniture in your new rental home.
  
  
• Return the keys for your old rental property to the landlord or rental agency.

Check the new property's condition report, noting any faults or pre-existing problems with the property, such as the condition of the carpets. This must be returned within 7 days.

Toop and Toop - http://www.toop.com.au

In 1985 Anthony Toop launched a real estate company from his home in Toorak Gardens with his wife Sylvia. From the outset, Anthony and Sylvia were determined to create the best real estate company in the country, and to set the industry standard.

Toop&Toop's unique marketing, impeccable ethics, outstanding service and passion for moving real estate to new levels soon became the model for others to follow. Through the 1990s, the company became acknowledged as the strongest, high profile independent real estate firm in South Australia and gained recognition by winning numerous awards and setting the standards in:

• customer service
  
  
• quality assurance
  
  
• business excellence
  

Toop&Toop is now recognised nationally as a market leader in residential real estate in Australia.

Rental Property Online - http://www.homebound.com

From the web site:

Australian property listing, including rental property.

Who's behind homehound.com?

The service is brought to you by Property Page Pty Ltd (PPL), a company owned and controlled by the real estate industry's major franchise groups including L.J Hooker, Century 21, Ray White, Raine and Horne and The National Real Estate Franchise Association of Australia.

What are the benefits?

homehound.com is brought to you by your local real estate agents, providing the most comprehensive and up to date source of house rental information. The free, user friendly website and accompanying print listings guide make it easier than ever for you to find the property you are looking for.

What property information will be listed on homehound.com?

All the information you used to access on propertypage.com will be available on homehound.com including residential homes, investment sales and rental properties.

Rental Properties Real Estate - http://www.realestate.com.au

From the web site:

Search for Rental Properties on Australia's largest real estate site.

realestate.com.au is an Australian company that provides Internet and technology services to the real estate rental industry, online rental property listings and related services to the Australian public.

realestate.com.au provides a medium for real estate agents to advertise their listings on the Internet and for potential buyers to search for properties. The company also provides a full range of Internet services to real estate agents.

Rental Properties in Brisbane - http://www.brisrentals.com

From the web site:

BrisRentals.com is the biggest online classifieds dedicated to property managers and renters in Brisbane, Australia.

BrisRentals.com is part of the BrisRealEstate.com Pty Ltd network of websites.

Taking a completely online approach, BrisRentals.com gives renters looking to lease in Brisbane, the opportunity to view 1000s of local properties on one easy-to-use and reliable website. This approach makes the task of searching for Brisbane rental properties both effective and efficient.

For both real estate property managers and private landlords, our audience provides tens of thousands of potential tenants. As BrisRentals.com in association with BrisRealEstate.com is promoted throughout South-East Queensland and beyond, advertisers throw a far greater net to potential tenants. With this greater exposure, real estate property managers and private landlords can enjoy even greater success.