The surprising list of properties renters avoid at all costs
What some people may see as comfort features are now prerequisites for tenants who are not afraid to keep looking to secure a rental property that suits their needs.
Air-conditioning, dishwashers, parking, pet-friendly policies and even fly screens have joined the list of attributes that have become non-negotiables for many tenants.
Many tenants will decline a property if it does not tick their comfort boxes, says Jacinta Cally of Belle Property Lane Cove.
“It might be a tough rental market but they’ll move on and keep looking,” she says. “People are pretty stuck on saying ‘no’ if it isn’t what they’re looking for.”
Cally says deal-breakers for some tenants might actually be preferred features for others.
For example, some tenants do not want to move into a freshly painted or renovated property, afraid that they may scuff the walls or break something and lose their bond. Others, meanwhile, do not want to live in a more rundown property that is not kept in top condition.
Carpet or timber flooring is also a common make or break that just comes down to a tenant’s preference, Cally says.
“I think it depends on everyone’s situation,” she says. “If the property has cross-ventilation and good airflow, air-conditioning might not be the be-all and end-all.”
Cally says first-time renters, in particular, or someone who has had a bad experience, such as losing a security deposit, can be a bit hesitant.
“Some people need to [move in] very quickly and might have to sacrifice [items on their wish list] or look for a six-month or short-term lease; others have more time up their sleeve and want to tick as many of their boxes as possible,” she says.
Tenants’ Union of NSW acting policy and advocacy manager Eloise Parrab says many features that may have put renters off in the past, like a backyard, are not as much of a deal breaker as they may have once been.
“In such a shortage of affordable housing, people can’t be as selective as they might have been in the past,” she says. “But having adequate heating and cooling, fencing and locks are considerations.”
Residential senior buyer’s advocate James Thompson of Rethink Residential says structural factors are also driving the non-negotiables of many tenants, whether they be space to work from home or ease of access for older residents and visitors.
He says there’s a demand from downsizers for properties with easy access to the bedrooms, whether that’s through a lift or a single-storey property.
While those features would be harder for landlords to provide in existing properties, it could guide their rental property investment decisions to ensure they could more easily gain tenants, Thompson says.
Other tenants still have simpler considerations, such as lighting and ventilation, that they may not be so willing to compromise on, he adds.
One of these is a pet-friendly policy, even if the tenant does not currently have a pet.
“Dogs may create wear and tear on properties, but Australia is a very dog-friendly country and restrictions around pets are quite damaging,” Thompson says. “Even if people don’t have pets, some like the idea that they might have one.”
Privacy is also important, with tenants wary of homes where neighbours can see into their backyard or windows.
Cally says Belle’s property managers guide landlords regarding changes that could be made to make the property more appealing or lettable, but most did not need the features to secure a tenant.
Thompson says landlords should also keep in mind that many renters will move if a property is not updated over time and the rent is still increased each year.
States
Capital Cities
Capital Cities - Rentals
Popular Areas
Allhomes
More
