Paying a bond
When renting a property you will usually pay the equivalent of four weeks rent to the landlord as a security deposit or bond. This is forwarded to the Residential Tenancies Bond Section where it is held in trust until you move out.
If the property is damaged or you leave before the end of the term of the lease, the landlord is entitled to take the necessary funds from your bond for repairs or costs of advertising for a new tenant.
HINT
It is very important that you keep a copy of the inventory list from your preliminary inspection as any differences to the property may affect your bond.
Furniture
Fully furnished places are not as common as unfurnished rental properties and are certainly more expensive. It does however mean that by renting a fully furnished place, you will not have to purchase furniture.
If you are renting an unfurnished property, some items you may need will include:
- Whitegoods – fridge, washing machine, microwave etc
- Furniture – chairs, tables, beds, study desks etc
- Kitchen utensils and appliances
- Linen - towels, sheets etc
These items will usually only be a once off cost and can be purchased from a variety of places.
Second Hand Goods
- Check the classified ads, eg The Advertiser, Sunday Mail, Trading Post
and local papers - Have a look on notice boards at universities or shops
- Check the Yellow Pages under ‘second hand’ for second hand stores or op shops.
- Try shops such as the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Societies, Goodwill Industries, Central Mission etc.
- Garage Sales are great for picking up goods at bargain prices. They are usually advertised through The Advertiser or by signs on street corners. Most garage sales are held on Saturdays or Sundays.
- Keep an eye out on hard rubbish days, you may pick up something useful.
Renting Furniture
- Check the Yellow Pages under ‘hire household appliances/furniture’
- You will find that the price and quality of items will vary quite substantially between different retail services, so shop around.
- Many hire services offer package deals where you can choose 5 or 6 items as a package at a cheaper rate.
Buying New
- Check the Yellow Pages under ‘Furniture - Retail’
- Some of the cheaper stores would be Big W, K-Mart, Target, Cunningham’s Warehouse, Cheap as Chips and Go-Lo.
HINTS
Remember to thoroughly read any contracts that you enter into.
Be careful about persuasive deals eg. Rent-to-Own plans can actually cost you four times more than paying for the item outright. Also, missing or being late with any of your payments can result in the rental store knocking at your door and taking the rental item as well as all the money you have paid off.
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Questions and Feedback
Lower Eyre Health Services
Tel 08 8688 2629 or email ask@gettingout.info