If you\u2019ve been to an open for inspection for a rental property recently, you\u2019ll know how competitive they can be.<\/strong><\/p>\n Good properties in great locations can attract dozens of applicants who are all desperate to get their foot in the door, so standing out from the crowd is critical.<\/p>\n Agents say it\u2019s not difficult to become the number one applicant.<\/p>\n Here are some key strategies to employ when you simply have to win that prized rental.<\/p>\n There are ways to make sure your application stands out. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What would you want to see from a prospective tenant if you were renting out a property?<\/p>\n Mark Taylor, director of Taylors Property Management Specialists in Bondi Junction, says it\u2019s the overarching question you should ask yourself before applying for, or inspecting, any rental property.<\/p>\n \u201cIn other words, if you\u2019re a landlord, what would you want a potential tenant to be giving you,\u201d Taylor says.<\/p>\n An open for inspection is effectively the largest group interview you\u2019ve ever attended.<\/p>\n The agents are sizing you up and assessing you from the moment you walk in the door \u2013 after all, they\u2019re the ones who\u2019ll be presenting the options to the landlord and helping them to make their final decision.<\/p>\n So treat it exactly like you\u2019re going for your dream job, Taylor says, including dressing presentably, introducing yourself to the agents and generally being courteous.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be rude, don\u2019t be obnoxious, don\u2019t be arrogant. Help the agent help you,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n What renters need to know:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Ensuring your documentation is A-grade \u2013 and even attaching a photo of yourself and your co-applicants\u00a0\u2013 will go a long way to helping you win the day.<\/p>\n \u201cMake sure you get your paperwork right, so we\u2019re not constantly needing to ring you about filling something in or clarifying this or that,\u201d Taylor says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to pick one of 10 or 15 applications, and sometimes it gets up to 20 or 25, so if your paperwork is organised and ready, and you\u2019ve got a photo that brings instant recognition and connection back to the inspection, straight away you\u2019re ahead of the pack.\u201d<\/p>\n Make sure you get your paperwork right before submitting the application. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As a landlord, renting your house out essentially means inviting a stranger to live in their property.<\/p>\n But Taylor says prospective tenants can break down those barriers by including extra information on their application.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s almost like doing a little presentation,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cTell us a bit about yourself and your partner. They\u2019re the questions our client needs to know and wants to know and will be asking us. Is it just yourself, are you and your partner working in town or here or there, or at the hospital up the road? Whatever the situation is, it helps to sell yourself to us and therefore our client. It\u2019s all about the sale.\u201d<\/p>\n Tips for renters with pets:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Taylor says going the extra mile and providing references that go beyond just listing<\/a> your former landlords could swing things in your favour.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly we\u2019ll confirm employment. But character or personal references help as well,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople think they\u2019re a bit understated, but we\u2019re big on that, to know that yes you might be able to pay the rent, but if you\u2019re a troublemaker we don\u2019t want to know you, and we can get that indication from a character reference.\u201d<\/p>\n Stnading out in the rental battle:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The practice of tenants offering extra payments to secure a rental has been widely reported, but Taylor says a better overall tenant will always win out.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could offer<\/a> $100 more, but be the worst applicant, so we\u2019ll steer well clear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou might only be there a couple of months and you\u2019ve cost the landlord more than the extra dollars you\u2019re putting on the table. We\u2019re more swayed by the package, for want of a better word\u00a0\u2013 the person.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"rental](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/11100136\/rental-inspection-queue_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nThink like a landlord<\/h2>\n
First impressions count<\/h2>\n
Have your documents organised<\/h2>\n
![\"renta](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/11095133\/rental-application_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nGive yourself a point of difference<\/h2>\n
Make your references clinch the deal<\/h2>\n
Cash should be a last resort<\/h2>\n