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The Housing Office has compiled a
useful list of questions that you
should ask when viewing a unit or
room They also entertain any queries
or doubts about the credibility of
the landlord, and they also keep a
list of landlords who are blacklisted.
All persons that rent out rooms or
units are required by law to register
with the Rental Board of NSW and they
are required to comply with the legal
regulations set by the Department
of Fair Trading.
I advice all students to only rent
from landlords who are properly registered,
as this means that you will be protected,
and the landlord has to ensure that
the rental conditions and obligations
are met. For example, an unregistered
landlord is not obligated by law to
pay for the removal of the blockage
of drainage pipes and can push the
cost onto the tenants. I was unfortunate
enough to rent from an UNREGISTERED
landlord and below, I have included
some of my encounters:
• Is a heating system provided?
My rental unit has a central heating
system, but the landlord charged us
extra when the heating system is switched
on during winter. Furthermore, he
disallowed any portable fan heaters
in our rooms.
• How long is the heater switched on for?
The heater for my unit is only switched
on from 7pm to 1am. This means that
during late-night studying and rain
weathers, I freeze. Instead of extending
the heating hours, my landlord suggested
that we cover ourselves up with warmer
clothing and blankets.
• Do I have to pay for using the washing
machine?
Hostels charge for using the washing
machine and most rental properties
don't. I had to pay AUD$3 for each
wash, 3 times more than the normal
rates!
• Does the landlord pay for the phone line
installation?
By right, the owner is obligated to
foot the cost of the phone line installation.
However, this can be subjective. This
is rather important as internet access
is definitely needed.
• Clarify the length of the contract
Legal rental contracts are signed
for a period of 6 months, although
there are some exceptional cases.
I was conned into signing a one-year
contract, which means that should
I wish to move away and break the
contract, I had to forgo the bond
money (usually equivalent to 4 weeks
of the weekly rent amount).
Also, you should take into consideration
of the empty rent, an amount which
is paid to "hold" the unit/room for
you when you return to Singapore during
the school holidays. For example,
if you leave 1st Dec and return to
Sydney in Feb, you pay - weekly rent
X 12 weeks.
• Will you have friends or girl / boyfriend
over often?
If you thrive in noise and mayhem,
this is not a problem. But if peace
is desired, this is important.
• Are there any security measures
being installed in your unit / house?
Most landlords give the standard "…
our area is very safe" but it will
be wise to have a look around. Locks,
grills, security alarms … if the neighbours
have them and not your unit, take
note. There have been cases of break-ins,
even in the school hostels, robbery
etc.
• Reece the selected unit at night
Check out your unit when night falls
to see if there is adequate street
lighting, and the activities or people
in the area.
• If you have seen something you
like, return to the unit/ house another
day and speak to the current occupants
(assuming that there are people staying
there then). They may tell you things
that the landlord may be trying to
hide or avoid answering.
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