We've all experienced the horrors of applying for a rental property.
So I've been to about ten viewings already.
I've applied for like six properties.
It's pretty exhausting just running from rental inspection to rental inspection. It's usually during work hours as well.
Yeah even like on a weekday you still getting 30 odd people to a viewing it's pretty crazy.
Navigating through traffic and then you miss the one you want.
It can be a bit disheartening sometimes.
Stressful.
Annoying.
With house prices having soared, for many people, renting is the only option.
But with dozens of people all keen on the same place, how do you get an edge over the competition?
Do you feel like you know what rental agents are looking for in a renter?
No. What are the criteria? How are we judged? Should I be dressed more formally?
I'm like is it an interview? Do they judge you as you come in and secretly tick you off?
We actually don't really know. It's like tinder for house hunting.
So you don't know what you are doing right or wrong.
Here to shed some light on the process is Persa Kapsali. She's been the keeper of keys for hundreds of rental properties.
So Persa what are some of your top tips for renters? At open for inspections, I always recommend that people coming
through actually introducing themselves through the leasing agent or property manager that's on site.
It's so important to put a face to the name and that they know who's later on potentially applying.
Anything that people just absolutely should not do when they're walking through an open for inspection?
Yes. People walking in with dirty shoes. If you've got work boots on please do take them off.
If there's people asking questions just wait until it is your turn.
Make sure that you don't actually have food with you or drinks that are spilling all over the place.
It is still someone's home.
It may seem hard to believe but 30% of candidates submit their applications incomplete.
Often leaving off simple things like contact details.
It's so hard to actually get through all the application forms.
To try and chase them all up we always prioritize the people that actually have all the information in there.
And make sure that, you know, they put their best foot forward.
What about extra information that's maybe not asked for? Does it help to add a bit extra?
Of course it does. Don't be afraid to actually put a personal touch to it.
Tell them what footy team you support what you like doing in your spare time.
It's things that owners can actually relate to and I've had applications approved because of that in the past.
Would I be offering extra money to try and get myself to the top of the pile?
I wouldn't recommend it only because a lot of our clients actually know that
more money doesn't potentially mean a better tenant.
It will always go to the person with a good rental history first.
As a general rule of thumb no more than 30% of your income should be spent on rent.
Feels like a strange question but could you offer less than the asking rent?
You can. You absolutely can. I wouldn't go in there with something that's, you know, hundred dollars under
the actual asking price, but if you can only afford you know something that's 10 dollars, 20 dollars
less per week than what is advertised it doesn't hurt to try.
And if you have a pet there is a way to get your pooch ahead of the pack.
I would always recommend a pet resume. I mean most owners are, you know, pet friendly people themselves,
but they want to be able to put, you know, a cute face to a name and know what it's actually like.
Pet resumes can include a photo, bio, health details and even references.
And what did you think of this place? We loved it. Yeah we're keen. It's got everything
Good luck with it. I hope the application goes well. Thanks very much. Cheers.