Increasing prices, a scarcity of rental homes and longer queues outside then have all combined to make renting in New Zealand a daunting challenge. Here are the simple but effective things you can do to stand out from crowd.
As news hits the market of demand is ramping up as America’s Cup teams, and now the Lord of the Rings cast and crew, start moving into Auckland, you maybe wondering if your chances of securing a rental property may be dwindling.
But, say agents, properties for the upper end may be from $1000 a week or more, up to $5000, there is still chance to focus your search on parts of the city in less demand (away from the Viaduct, for example). There is still a lot to choose from.
Kiri Barfoot, who heads the property management division of Barfoot & Thompson, says the company manages some 17,000 properties between Kerikeri in the north and Pukekohe and Te Kauwhata in the south. And, she says that even though this is a landlords' market, good landlords still want good tenants, with good references, to stay longer.
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As well as growing demand for city-centre rentals, the company’s track of search patterns found demand in south and west Auckland, close to jobs and public transport, particularly Papatoetoe, Manurewa, Pukekohe, Papakura, Mt Wellington, Henderson, Mt Roskill and Mangere. The city and Epsom continue to be highly desirable because of their proximity to good schools and transport links, while suburbs that do not have good transport are not seeing the demand or rental growth, Barfoot says.
Here are her tips:
1. Line up the paperwork
Make sure you have your references, credit checks, pay slips, confirmed ID and any other paperwork lined up before you start browsing or applying for properties. If you are new to renting and don't have any references from previous landlords, be sure to get references from other responsible sources such as an employer or someone who can speak to your good character.
Barfoot points out that you will be occuppying what might be a landlord's million dollar asset, so they'll want to be sure you are careful and respectful of their property. If you think it will help, a cover letter outlining why you will be the ideal tenant doesn't hurt, either.
2. Keep funds aside for bond and first month's rent, ready to go
Rental agents are often processing multiple applications for multiple properties, so if your deposit don't go through the first time, they don't have time to wait for a second chance, and will move on to the next applicant.
3. Apply online smartly
If you're working with agencies that use online application forms, make sure you have everything scanned and ready to attach to your application.
Again, if there's a place for adding more comments or personal details, then use the chance to give a personal story that helps you stand out.
4. Stay signed up for updates on new properties coming on to the market
Sometimes the first tenancy signed up may fall over, so if you're next in the queue you may be lucky and get ahead if you follow up immediately.
5. Treat viewings as a job interview
That is the hardest bit, particularly if viewings are during your working day. But Barfoot says, treat it like a job interview - dress smartly, talk to the letting agent and then follow promptly with a thank you note, any further information and any follow up questions to show that you are keen.
Agents often have to remember multiple applicants when they share shortlists with landlords for final decisions, so anything that helps you stand out from the crowd will help (in a good way).
6. Overcome the negatives
If you're a young group who haven't rented before, or have other things that you worry may put you at the back of the queue, demonstrate that you can be good tenants from the landlords point of view.
They just want to know their tenants pay the rent and other bills on time, won't damage the property or annoy neighbours with noise or too many cars and that you will be staying a long time (tenancy turnover means periods when their property isn't earning money, so longer term renters are attractive prospects). If you can do more than that, say look after the garden or lawns yourself, make that your edge.
Some landlords even allow pets, so check with the letting agent what that entails and whether this is a pet-friendly property.
Barfoot says the average tenancy is around 20 months, usually terminated by the tenant, but the company has some tenancies of over 20 years, many of five years or longer.
