Renting in Australia – Pros & Cons

Advantages of Renting in Australia

Flexibility	You can choose who you want to share accommodation with, where you live and can easily move at the end of the lease without major cost.
Right Location	Accommodation in your preferred location (proximity to school, work, etc).
Rights As Tenants	You have rights and protections guaranteed to you by a tenancy agreement and the advice and protection of your state’s Tenancy Board.
Cost Free Maintenance	You are not responsible for repairs to the property that you didn’t cause

 

Disadvantages of Renting in Australia

Short Stays	Not suitable for shorter time periods. Leases of less than 6 months are almost impossible to find.
High Initial Cost	You need to pay four weeks bond plus 2-4 weeks rent in advance, just to secure the property.
Complex Task	Renting and signing leases is a complex and lengthy task. As a tenant you will need to have a good understanding of English to navigate all the forms.
Shortage of Rental Properties	Suitable rental properties can be hard to find from time to time so competition can be fierce.
High Cost of Rent	Depending on the market and the supply of rental properties at the time the price to rent a property can be substantial and account for more than half a weekly wage.
Extra Costs	The amount of the lease generally does not include energy consumption (electricity, water, gas)