How to give notice and end a tenancy successfully Ending a tenancy can be a stressful and complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re a renter looking to end your tenancy agreement, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to give notice and end your lease successfully. Step 1: Check your lease agreement The first step in ending a tenancy is to review your lease agreement to see what it says about ending the tenancy.
Top tips for securing a rental home in a tight market Finding a new rental home can be a challenging task at times, especially if you are moving during a tight rental market. There are several telltale signs of a tight rental market: Low vacancy rates Number of listings reduced Rent increasing yearly Lots of attendees at viewings Properties rented after 1 viewing time and within 1-2 business days Good news is there are several ways you can get ahead of the market.
Annual Deep Cleaning Checklist for Renters Many people do their big yearly house clean in Spring, in preparation for the warmer months. From protecting yourself from mould spores and other health issues to protecting your renter insurance and bond, completing a deep clean inside and outside your rental home yearly will benefit you in several ways. While starting a deep clean can seem overwhelming, focussing on a few key areas inside and outside of your rental home can make all the difference!
Renter guide to reducing electricity and gas bills We all rely on energy to keep ourselves comfy through hot summers and chilly winters. Many of us are also feeling the financial pinch of rising energy bills. The Australian Energy Market Operator has exposed that the wholesale cost of electricity between January to March 2022 increased by over 140% in comparison to that time last year. So how do you reduce your energy consumption to save money?
How to manage wet weather damage as a renter With floods and insistent rain around Queensland and New South Wales, there has been severe damage to homes. From black mould to severe roof leaks, many properties have experienced some form of water damage with the increase of wet weather over the past few years. For renters, this has been very difficult to navigate how to manage this damage from communication with the property manager to ensuring the safety of the belongings.
Top ten tips to saving money when renting Saving money and renting can be a difficult task at the best of times, but by following a few simple guidelines, you can cut back costs and save money in the long run! We’ve outlined our top ten tips to saving money while renting: 1. Find a rental home that you can afford When renting, be sure to keep in mind the 30% income-to-rent rule of thumb for starters.
Renter guide to indoor gardening Having many indoor plants while renting may seem an impossible task. However, you can have your own low-maintenance indoor jungle with the proper research and preparation! In recent studies, it has been proven that indoor plants have various significant physical and mental benefits. Firstly, plants improve your air quality by purifying the air; even just one large houseplant can improve the air quality by up to 25%!
Renter guide to home security As Australia heads further down the roadmap to reopening interstate and international travel, many people have planned to go away during the holiday season. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, the holiday season is one of the peak times of year for home burglaries and break-ins in Australia, with statistics revealing a 30% increase during this time of year. Surprisingly, the Bureau also reported that most property offences in this period occur in daylight hours.
8 tips for finding your ideal housemates Living can be messy. Sharing a home can be messier! It is certainly not uncommon to have a bad housemate experience. Whether they are late on rent, unreliable on household chores, untidy, or eat your food, most people who have lived in sharehouses have experienced their fair share of lousy housemates. However, sharehouses can be a cost effective and fun way to live as long as you carefully consider your housemates before moving in together.
Save money when you save the planet! Making an impactful change to your sustainability as a renter may seem challenging but following a few simple routines will help reduce your environmental footprint and, in turn, save you money in the long run! We’ve outlined a few simple habits that will help you rent more sustainably. 1. Save energy where you can There are several ways you can reduce your energy consumption without breaking the bank!
Moving into a new rental home can be an exciting but daunting process, especially while during COVID. But, it doesn’t have to be! We’ve broken down the moving guide into three key sections: preparing to leave your current home, nailing the big move and settling into your new home. Preparing to leave your current home Review your lease agreement thoroughly While most property managers use standard leases, special conditions can differ, so ensure you’re across the terms and conditions.
The pandemic has caused uncertainty for many renters around Australia. We’ve outlined some tips and initiatives that may help assist you during COVID on your rental journey. Negotiating a rent adjustment in 5 steps If you’ve been financially impacted by COVID, you may be able to negotiate your rent with your property manager to work out a rent adjustment. These 5 steps may help you through this process. 1. Chat with your housemates Have a chat with your housemates (if you have any) about how COVID has affected your household position around your current work, income and housing situations.
How to avoid going to tribunal: renters guide. Renting a property is usually hassle free in most cases. When disputes arise they can often be quickly resolved however in some cases you may need a Tribunal hearing. In this guide you’ll learn how to avoid tribunal hearings and if you do attend a Tribunal how to prepare. What is a Tribunal and how do they work? Across Australia the residential Tenancy Tribunals are structured to resolve rental disputes through both mediation and formal hearings.
Renters essential home security guide Going away for a holiday? Don’t make your home an easy target for thieves. Australia is blessed with beautiful beaches and many holiday breaks throughout the year. With a holiday long weekend often just around the corner many of us will be leaving our homes for destinations near and far. While this is a great opportunity to enjoy a break, take the time for a road trip or to visit distant relatives your property and possessions could be at risk.
Working from home is becoming popular so it’s important to choose your rental property carefully. What is working from home? Working from home has created the opportunity for a mixed use property which combines your workplace and home! Employees are now dedicating part of their private home space to work. Many employees have had to adjust quickly to this new norm with COVID restrictions and in some cases of fixed term leases, renters have been stuck working from their bedroom study desk or living room with share house mates.
Australia is known for its hot summer months and that means it’s time to start preparing your home for the season of sun, heat and outdoor living. Here are our top tips for ensuring you’re ready! Give your garden the love it deserves Make the most of your garden! Dust off any outdoor furniture, mow the lawn, sweep the deck and water your plants. Greenery will provide cool and calm throughout the summer months and look great when entertaining so consider creating a watering schedule/routine.
Landlords and property managers generally use rental history to find their most suitable tenant. Landing your first rental can feel daunting - that’s why we have created a number of tips for you to maximise your chance for success! 1. Provide a guarantor A guarantor is an individual who can support your rental payments should you not be able to meet them. This will provide the landlord or property manager with peace of mind that no matter your financial situation, they will receive their rental payments.
If you have just been notified that your landlord is selling the home you are renting, there are a number of things you need to know. Let’s address the most common question first. Will I have to move out? As the owner of the property, your landlord has the right to sell the property whenever they wish. However, there is no need to start packing just yet… The landlord must still abide by the lease signed with you and no matter who purchases the property, you still hold the right to live there until the end of your lease (unless your lease says otherwise).
Whether your lease is ending soon or you are just starting a new lease, you can simplify the end-of-lease cleaning process by being proactive and spring cleaning on a regular basis. An end-of-lease clean involves a tenant returning the property to the same sanitary and livable condition it was in at the beginning of the lease. If a tenant fails to adequately clean the property and return it to an acceptable condition, the landlord has the right to deduct the required amount from the bond to clean the property.
If you are renting or looking to rent, it is inevitable that at some point - you will experience an inspection; whether it be ingoing, outgoing or routine. Inspections can cause unnecessary stress if tenants don’t know what to expect. This is why we have created a number of tips for preparing for these inspections and ensuring the process is as easy as possible! Inspections are beneficial for all parties:
10 tips to turn your rental into a home It is definitely possible to have the style and feel of home ownership, whilst having the flexibility of renting. There are a number of ways that you can make your rental feel more like home. We have put together the 10 top tips for you to ensure that you are comfortable in your rental home. 1. Talk to your landlord/property manager Build a transparent and trusting relationship with your property manager.
How to prepare for a rental viewing to ensure you’re successful There are a lot of things to consider when attending a property viewing. Snug has the top tips for you in how to attend the viewing, build a relationship with the leasing agent and secure your dream rental home! Wander past Walk, bike or drive around the property and familiarize yourself with the area. Get a feel of what it would be like to live in the neighbourhood.
Complete Guide to Moving During COVID-19: Moving homes can be challenging at the best of times and the COVID-19 situation has only made it more difficult. However, if you are in a situation where you need to move, the following considerations and Snug support may make the process easier for you. Can I move during COVID-19? Legally, there is no legislation or federal/state directive that prevents you from changing your primary place of residence.
Whether you are currently renting, or looking for a new lease - undoubtedly, you have considered how is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic going to impact me? Does COVID-19 impact my rental agreement? The Australian economic climate has changed significantly and renters, owners and property managers are being affected. All parties are required to comply with their rental agreement. This means paying rent, staying the lease term and leaving the property in good condition.
As the year’s end approaches, many renters with expiring fixed term leases will need to decide whether to renew their leases, continue on a periodic (ongoing/month-to-month) or give notice. This article will run through the reasons for and against renewing a fixed term lease.. 5 reasons for renewing a lease: 1. Renewing your lease can be cheaper Renewing is often much cheaper than moving elsewhere, even when similar properties are slightly cheaper.
Rental bonds are an important part of renting. We’re here to answer your questions about rental bonds including how much you can be requested and the best ways to ensure you get your bond back at the end of a tenancy.
Finding a pet-friendly rental property in Australia can be challenging, with only 25% of all rental properties advertised as “pet friendly”. However, with Australia having one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, this statistic is starting to change.
In previous years, landlords have had almost full discretion over whether they allow pets - with the exception of guide dogs. But this won’t last for long, with many state governments pushing towards renters’ rights to rent with a pet, whilst also putting safeguards in place to protect landlords from damage and disturbances that some pets can cause.
How to end a Lease Ending a lease is one of the most important aspects of renting. Getting it right avoids stress and cost down the track. It also sets you up for a great rental reference. Life is unpredictable and you may decide not to renew your expiring lease or to break lease. Either way, you need to let your property manager know in writing. As you navigate your way through bringing your lease to an end, there’s some important things to know so that all runs smoothly and any financial penalty is minimised as much as possible.
When you enter into a rental agreement with a landlord, you’re both making commitments, taking risks and placing trust in each other to perform under the rental agreement.
The landlord is opened up to financial risk - mainly arrears and damage, and the renter’s living conditions and stable housing are in the hands of the landlord. Both parties depend on each other. It’s important that trust and open communication are present.
Rent increases are a normal part of renting. Sure, they can sometimes take you by surprise, but at the end of the day, rental markets and maintenance costs change and rent often follows suit. The vast majority of the time, rent increases reflect increased demand within the rental market, but when a rent increase takes you by surprise or seems excessive, there’s a couple important things to know.
Understanding your legal rights and the laws behind rent increases can help you if you ever find yourself in an unfair situation surrounding a rent increase.
The common-known rule of renting is that you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your income on rent. However, in places such as Sydney and Melbourne, that can be particularly difficult to stick to. Luckily, some simple frugal tips can help you reduce your current renting costs.
The average Australian consumes 200 litres of water per day - the highest average of any country in the world. So, as water restrictions come in place for the first time in over a decade, take a look at these simple ways you can save water (and your wallet!).
Subletting is a common practice by renters but can lead to disputes and costs. This article will take you through the do’s and don’ts of subletting to ensure things run as smooth as possible.
Renting in a sharehouse has its fair share of obstacles, but setting some rules at the start of your tenancy can ensure that everyone pulls their weight and helps everyone get along!
One of the great upsides of renting is that it provides a much larger degree of freedom than owning. However, it can feel difficult to personalise your rental and make it feel like a home. Luckily, there’s plenty of ways you can personalise your space, but it’s important to understand what changes you can make and how to negotiate them with your landlord or agent.
An overwhelming 64% of Australian households have a pet, yet only 25% of listed properties are advertised as pet friendly, meaning there’s a good chance that your proposed lease will include a no-pets clause.
The Australian rental market has never been bigger, but the threat of rent rises or eviction is still a real concern for many renters, making it hard for many renters to call their rental “home”.
For many, home ownership is the goal, and the benefits of renting are glossed over in the pursuit of ownership. However, this shouldn’t be the case. In a world where we celebrate leasing rather than buying services (E.g Netflix, Spotify, etc.), why don’t we think the same of the world’s oldest subscription service - renting.
This article will go through some reasons why renting might be better than home-ownership and how to still invest in the property market without necessarily having to put up the amount that home-ownership would require.
Moving can often be stressful, however, starting to plan your move in advance can make all the difference, and ensure that move-day runs as smooth as possible. This article will outline the steps you should take for a stress-free move.
It’s all too easy to get caught up in the emotion of finding a new rental property, and forget to look over and think about basic requirements of a good rental property. Snug has developed a list of things to think about when looking at a property, so that you find a property that not only looks great, but is also practical and meets your needs. 1. Location When considering a suburb/area to look at, make sure to think through the area’s accessibility to various important places.
Whether it’s your first time renting, or your tenth, understanding the ins and outs of the rental process can help you stand out from your competition, secure your dream rental and ensure you get your bond back at the end of the lease. This article will outline some key tips to bear in mind throughout most stages of the rental process, to make sure you get the most out of your rental property.
A few simple but important steps can ensure you get your precious bond cash back.
Bonds are typically cash security deposits held to motivate tenants to uphold the terms of the rental agreement. In most Australian States, bonds must be lodged with the rental bond authority.
Bond claims are generally limited to: rental arrears, damage beyond wear and tear and usage charges such as water (where permitted).
Snug calls on Australian State Governments to harmonise residential rental leases nationally to simplify renting for renters and owners, enable ease of compliance and encourage innovation in housing. In this article, Snug lists 17 key lease terms that should be standardised and introduces the concept of Home Leases which provides progressive homeowner benefits. Before the rental reforms are legislated, let’s rethink rental reform and get it right for both renters, owners and agents.
Snug announces a new category of living called ‘homevesting’. We’re redesigning the housing system to better suit the emerging lifestyle, work and retirement trends of the next generation. Even in this modern age where it seems accessibility and optionality abounds, across the country people worry about their housing. Our mission is to create a place everyone calls home with ‘home leases’ and ‘collective investment’. We call it ‘home vesting’ so you can live where you love and invest where it matters.
Today we are excited to announce Snug Match. Snug Match streamlines rental applications to help lease feaster and more importantly attempts to solve the fundamental market problem of mismatching between renters and owners thereby encouraging longer and more sustainable rental relationships. Streamlined and progressive applications To start we’ve consolidated several online and offline applications into one easy to use solution. It saves agents and owners time and money. We’ve also reduced the time it takes renters to get started, and ask just for the information required to progress the application.
Bond guarantees are a better solution to existing cash rental bonds. Sign the petition to bring real rental reform to Victoria. Bond guarantees benefit renters and owners: Keeps cash in the pockets of renters Faster and fairer claims with the option of a tribunal if parties don’t agree Fast and easy to apply and issue BondCover as well as update housemate details Maintains tenancy rights and obligations, protecting renters and owners Snug developed BondCover after comprehensive research involving hundreds of renters, owners and agents as well as analysis of millions of bond records which showed the very large majority of renters do the right thing.
Bond guarantees are a better solution to existing cash rental bonds. Bond guarantees benefit renters and owners: Keeps cash in the pockets of renters Faster and fairer claims with the option of a tribunal if parties don’t agree Fast and easy to apply and issue BondCover as well as update housemate details Maintains tenancy rights and obligations, protecting renters and owners We introduced the product but there is resistance so we need your help.
Renting can be a stressful and confusing experience if you’re unaware of your own rights and your obligations. Rental rights often differ between states so it’s important to make sure you know which rules apply to your state or territory. Your regional Fair Trading website is the best resource to help you figure this out.
In many parts of the world, it is more common to rent than own. For some, renting can be stressful when issues arise because after all, renting is about where you call home.
Here are four common areas that can create rental stress and tips on how to avoid them:
There is a lot to learn about rental bonds in Australia. Understanding the process and costs for lodging a bond, and claiming a bond refund is important to ensure you receive your bond back.
You should check with your local rental bond authority before agreeing and transferring a rental bond between a tenant and owner.
In some rental markets there can be strong competition for rental properties so being prepared can help you secure your ideal home.
Generally property managers ask themselves three questions
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