Applying for a rental property.
The last few months have been extremely busy with people requiring rental properties. The Barossa has seen a strong demand for rental properties and market supply hasn’t been able to keep up.
The number of prospective tenants attending rental open inspections has been high, which generally means that property managers receive multiple applications. To help prospective tenants to submit the best application possible, I thought it might be a good idea to share a few tips on how to complete a rental application correctly.
It is astounding the number of applications I receive on a rental property without the applicant viewing the property. This is the first step! You need to view the property or have a proxy view the property for you.
Only submit the Tenancy Application form once you have established the rental property suits your requirements. Once your application has been approved and you have paid either the 2 weeks rent and/or bond, you can be bound to the rental property even if you haven’t signed a Tenancy Agreement. All individuals wanting to be named on the tenancy agreement must submit individual applications.
When a property manager is faced with processing multiple applications they do not have time to chase an applicant who has missed information or not provided it or provided incorrect details.
Here are more tips on completing your application:
Complete it in full, do not leave any gaps – this is your chance to paint a full picture. Ensure you provide contact numbers for your referees, especially your employment referee.
If you are in the process of starting a new job provide the new employer’s details and contact number plus your previous employer. Ensure details on all income sources are provided.
If you are unemployed provide all income streams and the amounts, don’t just advise you have Centrelink or family allowance payments.
Rental history is an imperative part of the application. Provide as many rental references as you can. Home owners who have never rented before can use the real estate agent who has handled their property dealings as a referee. If you have only boarded, give the name/s and contact number/s of who you lived with.
Referees – make sure they are available to give a reference (not on annual leave or left their company). Are their contact numbers correct?
Pets – give as much information as possible and obviously a pet reference is ideal either from your current property manager/landlord or vet.
Sign all sections especially the Privacy section and Tenant Reference Check page. Some agents will not give a reference unless they have a copy of these sections.
100-point identification must accompany any application with at least one form of identification being photographic.
Any gaps, explain why.
A rental application is a tenant’s chance to advise a property manager or landlord who they are and why they would make a better tenant than other applications. A tenant has the responsibility to ensure the information provided is true and correct.
If you own an investment property and want peace of mind,
contact Lisa Akeroyd of Barossa Rental Specialists on
0414 335 660 to discuss your rental management strategy.