How to win over a potential landlord and score the rental property you want

The Everton Park, McDowall, Stafford area is a highly desirable location for tenants wanting to be close to the city but with a nice suburban feel.  So if you are wanting to improve your chances of getting that great home to rent here are a few tips for you to follow.

Real estate FOMO is rife in the rental market, as house-hunters around Australia slog it out for the prize of a place to call home.

The fear-of-missing-out is well founded in many cases, and applicants are going to great lengths to stand out from the crowd.

David Watt, property manager at Hicks Real Estate office in Everton Park, says it’s common for applicants to offer more than the asking price – anything from $10 a week to more than $100.

Offering more rent does not mean that someone will be a better tenant, and our landlords know this.

“It’s something people do, but it’s not something I would recommend,” Watt says.

“It can end up in almost a bidding war, where someone at the end is paying a lot more than they would have needed to. Also, offering more rent does not mean that someone will be a better tenant, and our landlords know this.”

So what are the rules of engagement? And how can you make your application shine?

Get the basics right

Yes, it sounds obvious, but filling in the application form correctly is a good start.

“A lot of people don’t bother,” Watt says. “They have contact numbers missing, for example.”

Make it easy for the agent – and the owner – by giving them all the information they request at the beginning.

Let your referees know you’ve put their names down, and don’t be tempted to lie on your application. In the internet age, it’s too easy to be caught out.

Show them the money

Don’t be afraid to provide more information than the application form requires.

It’s common for applications to ask about your employment and rental history, for example, but if you happen to have piles of cash sitting in a bank account, that might make an owner more inclined to think you’ll pay the rent on time.

“We understand about privacy concerns, but you can black out account numbers and other details,” Watt says.

Make it personal

Just as a killer cover letter can help you land your dream job, a well-crafted letter to the landlord can help you score your dream home.

Watt says his agency forwards all applications to the landlords, most of whom aren’t moguls with multi-property portfolios.

“They’re mums and dads. They want to know someone will look after the home. Say you love the property, you want to look after it, and you’ll treat it as your own.”

Adding some personality can help. “I’ve had people provide pet resumes, or tell us what football team they support. It’s that little bit extra that will make them stand out,” he says.

Apply in the off-season

This advice could come too late for anyone wanting a beachside pad this summer, but you’re likely to be up against fewer applicants if you apply during the slow season.

For summer hotspots, that means winter. For university towns, it means any time but the start of the academic year. Ditto suburbs near teaching hospitals.

Act quickly

Paying double rent for a few weeks stings, but possibly not as much as missing out on your umpteenth rental property.

Watt advises would-be tenants to have their paperwork in order as soon as possible, ideally lodging their application straight after they have inspected the property.

“If somewhere is vacant, the owners will more than likely want someone to move in sooner rather than later. The way the system is set up, you’re likely to need to pay some double rent … you can’t move from one place to another from morning to afternoon,” he says.

Offer your expertise

If, like the landscape gardener, you have skills that might prove irresistible to a landlord, feel free to offer them.

This strategy doesn’t guarantee success, but it might make an owner consider your application more closely.

“We put all the applications forward to the landlord, but at the end of the day it’s their decision,” Watt says.

The team at Hicks Real Estate manage 100s of properties in the inner north suburbs, if you would like to learn more about getting this great team to work for you call them on 07 3355 6845