MelbournePropertyInsight.com

Rights of renters? Discrimination based on age?

admin — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:54:38 +0000

Hi, I am currently applying to rent a property in melbourne after moving from NSW along with two work colleagues to start a new job, The three of us have applied for a property advertised at $500 a week. All references checked out and our application was forwarded to the owner. The owner is concerned about our age (two 23 and a 24 year old) and thinks that we will cause extra ‘wear and tear’ to the property, but says we can pay an extra $50 a week to cover the costs and we will be accepted. I was wondering if this is some legal form of discrimination? These costs should be covered by bond. Is there anything we can do save for giving the property up completely? Our past rental references state that we have not damaged a property in the past 5 years that we have been renting. I’m guessing that because we haven’t signed anything yet then there is nothing we can do?
Thanks for you reply, This property is in Caulfield North. I don’t intend to take legal action, just wondering if its a usual thing. I’ve never had so much trouble getting a property as I have in Melbourne, even when I was an 18 year old student earning no money! I guess I figured it would get easier when I had a full time job.

I’ve read their are some forms of discrimination when it comes to renting, just wasn’t sure if age was one of them. It’s so difficult to convince someone that you can be a good tenant when they have preconceived ideas on the type of person you will be based on how old you are..asking us to pay more just because of this seems unfair and completely out of our control. I was thinking of it in the context of getting a job, if you advertise a certain pay rate you don’t lower the rate just because someone isn’t up to your standards, you just find someone else who is.. I guess it doesn’t work like that! I’ve never come across a rent
I’ve never come across a rental auction before, though I do understand the owners concern of renting to three unrelated young people, $50 is a pretty big increase with a pretty lousy justification. I’ve offered to pay months of rent in advance but no good. As far as I understand from the property manager, no one else has applied and its been available for rent for over a month. I’m wondering if that gives me some kind of a bargaining opportunity. I’ve asked if he’ll consider $30 extra a week, should hear back tomorrow..

Firstly,, "Congratulations, for getting out of NSW!!" * also,, "My Condolences to you, for moving to Melbourne, as it is not the great place it used to be." ………. Now,, Anyone renting a property to someone else, "has the Right" to choose who they will rent it to, or not rent it to." This is NOT any form of discrimination. … It is like when you go for a job interveiw. Do you think that the employer Has To employ anybody & everybody who applies for a job? Wouldn’t you say that the employer has the right to pick & choose who he/she wants to employ? Of course they do. … Renting a property is much the same thing, that is,, the person who owns the place & is renting it out, has the "right" to say who they want / don’t want living in "THEIR House". ………….. You all may be wonderful people with first class references, high paid jobs, & whatever else! But,, If the Owner prefers someone Older living there,, that’s all there is to it. ………….. Personally,, If it were My house (& it isn’t),,, I would rent only to an elderly person or couple. (because that is My Choice). But if I were selling the same property,, I wouldn’t care who bought it,, as long as they could Pay the asking price & met any conditions I might have………….. Back to YOUR Problem though:: These days, Rental Auctions are common, so it is in order for the renter to put the price up an extra $50 per week. Actually, I think you should have made the offer of extra money. …… What some young people do, is they ask if they can pay $50 per week Less, if they promise to look after the garden & Do It! Or,, I have even heard of some youngish people offering to pay just over $100 Less, in exchange for painting the house &/or doing any & all maintenance themselves! …….. I know I know,, this sort of thing id really not allowed, right. But the point of it is,, Even if the owner says "No" to this, (as you should expect),,, it Will show the owner, the type of person that you are. ……….. If you take Legal Action now, against this person, then whether you win or lose the case,, How will it look to the next person that you try to rent from? … Not Good. :::::::::::::::::::::::: EDIT :::::::::::::::::::: Just out of curiosity,,, What Area of Melbourne? are you looking at. That does make a big difference, in both attitude of renters, & price!

paying for water in a rental property?

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:04:39 +0000

we have just moved from queensland sunshine coast to victoria melbourne, we only payed for excess water charges if the whole property was fitted with new water fittings that use less water (really we never payed for water) and it wasn’t in our name. now down here the water is in our name and we pay for all water charges just wondering if this is correct or not?

Check your contract – if it says you’re responsible for water charges, then that’s what happens

Some places include utilities in the rent, some places don’t

Does my landlord have to install heating in a rental property?

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:16:19 +0000

I live in Melbourne, Victoria and my unit get freezing in winter, to the point where i can see my breath and the walls get mold. There is no heating at all in the unit.

Your landlord is required by law to provide a heating unit for your apartment. This is not to say that he has to pay to have it running, but it must be in working order. I have attached this link for more information.

http://www.rentaustralia.com.au/content/cms/Emergency+Repairs/527/

Supply Factors that are impacting Melbourne’s price of properties?

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:20:27 +0000

i need at least 2 Supply factors that impact Melbourne’s price of properties.

Their supply of them…and their price.

Where do I start when it comes to property researching?

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:38:28 +0000

Want to buy in Melbourne, around 2012 and I’d like to know what is the best way to start, how does one really wrap there head around The Perfect Property hunt?

www.ipostcodes.com.au

Do you know what suburb you wish to live in? If you’re not sure, this site does a lot of in depth research on everything you’d like to know when it comes to committing to a suburb to buy in. Look for their "unique suburbs" section

Link between high immigration and unaffordable housing prices?

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:08:10 +0000

New York
Vancouver
Melbourne

3 of the most immigrant intensive areas. 3 of the most overpriced and ridiculous real estate there is. I know there is some link but is there actually any scientific research eg: pct of immigration to pct increase in median average income required to own a standard house?

I do not know about those specific areas, but I was in Las Vegas recently and saw a news story about several immigrant families sharing an apartment to afford housing. There were at least 10 people living in a small space for the news story, in some apartments, many more.

If you are splitting high rent enough ways, it becomes affordable.

Where can i find work experience in Melbourne?

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:06:06 +0000

Next year I am required to do one week of work experience. I am wondering if anyone knows any jobs accepting year 10 work experience students.
i know many hospitals so, and rspca does, but most places have already been taken. I am interested in the medical field, recreational as well as real estate.

I’ve heard that LJ Hooker real estate often take on-board students as part of their work experience program.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Bazza

Can foreigners buy Real Estate in overseas countries like the USA?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:46:19 +0000

I was wondering if you can buy real estate in the USA. I am from Australia and it’s very difficult to by investment real estate and make money from the properties in cities like Melbourne and Sydney. People who bought property in the late 90’s are laughing. But for the young ones it’s very hard. I have a friend who is going over to the USA to check it the real estate market over there. Do you have to be a US citizen to buy over there? I think it might be a far better opportunity now that prices over there are so cheap.

You can buy whatever you want in the US. It will not assure a VISA and you will pay more taxes on it then a citizen would.

The Chinese own much of the west coast, and the brits are buying up FL at a fast rate.

Why are the prices so different for real estate in FL vs. CA?

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:33:30 +0000

How come you can get a 2,700 sq ft newish house with a "million dollar" view in Melbourne, FL for the same price as a 800 sq ft condo near the freeway overpass in Santa Barbara, CA? The former is near a sugar white beach with clear blue-green water. The latter is near an oily seaweedy beach with arctic cold water. Someone please explain!!

Supply and demand.

buying property in Melbourne, Victoria.?

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:51:36 +0000

would like to know cheap areas to buy in Melbourne. also what are the additional cost i.e morgage insurance, stamp duty, changing the morgage over etc, how much would this cost on a property say worth $200,000 if im a first home owner and i intend to live in the property? also totally off the subject is geelong to werribee a good place to buy?

There are cheaper areas in Melbourne, but they come at a cost, excuse the pun. They are always further away from the city where the work and facilities are. Geelong is very far away. At least 2 hours travelling one way. But it can have some nice bits. what do you want, a flat, or a house? Flats are cheaper, and so you could afford to come closer into the city, but still not that close. Werribee, is closer, but you really need to see these places, to get the feel of them. What I may not like, you may like or tolerate. Also, advertisements are misleading, and real estate agents are too. There is no hurry to buy I think as property prices are certainly not increasing in this climate. I’ve noticed people are off-loading holiday houses. they’re way out the city, hours away, but it depends how you plan to live/work and what facilities you need.