Where you choose to live when you leave home will depend on a number of factors. A major consideration in finding accommodation is how much you can afford to spend. Another important factor is location. This will be infl uenced by where you are working or studying. The closer you are to where you need to go each day, the easier it will be for you. It will, for example, minimise the cost and time necessary to spend on transport. On the other hand, if the area where you work or study is expensive, it may be better to live in a cheaper area and spend a little more on transport. When you rent a home in NSW and become a 'renter' or a 'tenant', knowing your rights and responsibilities will help you avoid or resolve differences you may have with your landlord, real estate agent, house-mates or neighbours. The Office of Fair Trading manages the laws that govern your rights and responsibilities as a renter and can give you information to help you understand what these laws mean for you. It is illegal in NSW for landlords and real estate agents to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, marital status, disability, age (which is a big one from out point of view) and sexuality.
Some of the major considerations when searching for accommodation include:
• Bonds - This is an amount of money (usually equivalent to four weeks rent) that must be paid by the tenant to the real estate agent in case the tenant damages the property or cannot pay the rent.
• Advance rent - A tenant is usually expected to pay two weeks rent in advance.
• Deposits and connection fees - When someone moves into a new place, they must pay to have the telephone, gas and electricity connected, which can amount to hundreds of dollars. These services are known as utilities.
• Furniture - If the property is unfurnished, it may be necessary to buy large items (such as a fridge and a bed) as well as everyday items (such as crockery and bed linen).
Before you move in
