Moving house without tears – 1988

29 years ago our Founder and Managing Director, Sandra Gravlee moved from Melbourne to Sydney.  In 1981 in Melbourne she started her own corporate relocation company, on moving to Sydney this company became known as Sydney Relocations and with continued strong, national growth the business soon became Australiawide Relocations, our company name today.  The Northern Herald published an article in February 1988 which we are proud to share with you, a little insight into our history.

The Northern Herald Article 11 Feb 1988

Explaining the nuances of the Australian rental market to Expats.

Transferees  who  relocate  to  Australia  to  work  in  one  of  our  cities  or  major  regional  centres,  will  find   they  are  spoilt  for  choice  when  it  comes  to  considering  where  to  reside.    Our  residential  areas  are  wide   spread  offering  urban,  suburban  and  rural  lifestyles  and  in  many  cases  beachside  locations  as  well.

Expats  have  a  choice  of  where  they  can  live.    Being  such  a  culturally  diverse  country,  children  assimilate   well  into  our  schools  and  Expats  are  welcomed  into  their  local  communities.

The  rental  market  in  Australia  operates  very  differently  to  Europe,  the  USA  and  indeed  many  of  our   Asian  neighbors  as  well.  One  of  our  priorities  when  working  with  an  Expat  is  to  explain  this.

Rental  properties  in  Australia  are  not  multi  listed  with  different  Real  Estate  Agents.    Each  Real  Estate   Agent  office  manages  its  own  portfolio  of  rental  properties,  which  they  do  so  on  behalf  of  the  property   owner,  the  Landlord.    Real  Estate  Agents  do  not  share  their  rental  listings  with  each  other.    Each   Landlord  pays  their  agent  a  property  management  fee.    The  Tenant  does  not  pay  this  in  Australia.

The  majority  of  rental  properties  are  managed  by  Real  Estate  Agents,  although  some  Landlords  do   choose  to  manage  their  own  rental  property,  which  is  permitted,  provided  they  adhere  to  the   Residential  Tenancy  regulations.

Each  State  in  Australia  has  its  own  Residential  Tenancy  regulations  in  place  and  there  are  some   variations  when  it  comes  to  the  terms  and  conditions  contained  within  the  lease  agreement.    For   example,  notice  periods  prior  to  vacating,  break  lease  conditions  and  swimming  pool  safety  compliance.

Australia  is  experiencing  low  rental  property  vacancy  rates.  There  is   quite  a  bit  of  competition  for  rental  properties,  they  come  and  go  on  a  daily  basis.  The  majority  of  rental   properties  advertised  at  any  given  time  will  be  available  to  lease  and  occupy  within  1-­‐3  weeks.    We   always  recommend  to  our  Expat  transferees,  coming for  a  pre-­‐move  visit  to  secure  a  rental  property,  that   they  time  this  for  no  more  than  a  month  before  permanent  relocation,  to  avoid  paying  rent   unnecessarily  for  an  extended  period  of  time.

Where  there  is  high  demand  for  rental  properties  the  rental  prices  are  also  high.    Prices  do  vary   depending  on  location  –  beachfront,  waterfront,  proximity  to  the  central  business  districts,  public   transport  and  good  schools.

The  maximum  fixed  term  on  any  residential  tenancy  agreement  is  3  years.    However  the  typical  fixed   term  lease  period  is  12  months.    On  conclusion  of  the  fixed  term  period,  subject  to  both  parties   agreeing,  the  tenancy  can  be  renewed  and  fixed  for  a  further  agreed  specified  time  or  continue  on  a   month  to  month  basis.

What  is  the  definition  of  a  furnished  and  unfurnished  property?    This  does  cause  confusion  from  time  to   time.    When  properties  are  listed  on  the  internet  for  lease,  often  the  photos  have  been  taken  when  the   property  has  been  occupied  and  therefore  show  furniture  in  the  rooms.    Unless  the  advertisement   expressly  states  that  the  property  can  be  leased  fully  furnished,  then  it  is  available  for  lease  with  no   furniture.

If  unfurnished,  a  property  will  only  include  installed/fixed  appliances.    For  example,  stove,  oven,   rangehood  and  dishwasher  are  the  typical  inclusions  in  an  unfurnished  property.    Some  new  apartments   may  include  a  clothes  dryer  and/or  washing  machine  and  occasionally  a  property  may  have  a  built  in   fridge  and/or  microwave.

Unfurnished  properties  are  far  more  common  than  fully  furnished.

Utilities  are  not  typically  included  as  part  of  the  rent.    It  is  the  Tenants  responsibility  to  arrange   connection  of  their  utility  services,  like  gas,  electricity,  internet,  telephone  and  Pay  TV  (if  required).    We   assist  our  Expat  transferees  to  set  these  up.    If  a  property  has  a  separate  water  meter  then  the  Tenant   will  also  pay  for  water  consumption.

Australia  is  a  great  place  to  live  and  for  those  Expats  who  embrace  what  it  has  to  offer,  really  enjoy  their  time here.