The Rat ([info]firvulag) wrote,
@ 2008-12-12 15:20:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend  Next Entry
Sick of all this
So we have to find a house

We've been looking for about a month now, and have now had 6 knockbacks.
We've tried offering above the asking rate.
We've tried getting in first and before advertised.

We just can't seem to get any place that will actually suit our needs.

Things would probably be a hell of a lot easier without the 2 cats though. Even though we've been renting with them in 3 properties for over 3 years now, and have never had a problem with them, they seem to be the best excuse we get for not being given a place.

The stress of having to move before the end of this year, coupled with whatever is wrong with my body that's been giving me all the pain i've been living with for the last few weeks is really driving me over the edge, and I can just see me ending up in hospital from it if things don't start smoothing out quickly.

One of the worst downsides of this is if I physically can't work, I can't look for houses either, but that wouldn't matter since if I can't work we can't afford one anyway so are even more stuffed than we currently are.

So far since getting back to find we have 60 days (um, 55 by the time we got it...) to move out by 31/12/08 I've missed over 10 days of work due to being incapable of actually getting to work, and if I was there, I'd be too drugged to be able to do anything useful anyway, or I'd be asleep. I've managed to get out and see around about 20 houses, and we've applied for at least 7 or 8 of them. We've been knocked back for all of them.

So, I've got a new christmas list.

For Christmas, I want:
- a 3x1 house, for $350/wk. Pets allowed. Must be within a reasonable distance Main St Osborne Park where I work. If I'm going to have to spend more than 45 mins driving each way to and from work, there is no way I'll last out 6 months of working.. My body just won't take that sort of punishment. It would also mean that Belinda would need to be taking even longer to get to her work which will drive her nuts.
- To know what the fuck is wrong with me and get some treatment for it.

There are only 2 things on my list cos right at the moment, nothing else actually means anything to me. If I don't have a house, then I don't really need my job. Without my health, I won't have a job either, so won't be able to afford said house.

So, now that we are down to 19 days left in this place, Things are getting a little closer than I'd have liked.



(9 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]ducts
2008-12-12 07:02 am UTC (link)
People seem to be complete bastards about the "no pets" thing at the moment - I didn't have one, but I objected to the 6 pointless abuse-of-power property conditions. Perhaps instead of offering extra rent, offer a higher refundable pet bond to show confidence? I did have an excellent written reference from my last landlord, maybe you can arrange that...?

$270-$350pw for 3x1 seems easily achievable in Innaloo, Westminster, Nollamara according to the recent realestate.com.au ads...

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]jet_ski
2008-12-12 07:21 am UTC (link)
I don't think you can offer more pet bond, it's set in stone in the Residential Tenancies Act. We had the same problem, until we started expanding our budget. We would have been accepted at more expensive properties in North Perth. The problem is trying to get a 'cheap' rental means that the RE Agents and owners like to treat you like dirt on the bottom of their shoes!!!!

Our landlord would only give us a 6 month lease because he was concerned about the cat pissing on the new carpet.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)


[info]firvulag
2008-12-12 07:24 am UTC (link)
yeah, and the problem with going for a more expensive rental is that we're trying to actually SAVE money so we can maybe oneday not have to rent someone else's property and can be paying off our own mortgate rather than someone elses.

We should get in touch with our current agent and get a written pet reference from him. At least that should help by having it in the application rather than making them ring him to find out.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]ducts
2008-12-12 08:02 am UTC (link)
I think you're right, the Act says "$50, or such other amount as is prescribed", but current guides suggest that $100 has been prescribed now (where's the proper reference for that?):
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/consumerprotection/Content/Real_Estate/Renting_and_tenancy/Tenants/Bonds_and_rent.html

Still, it seems more ethical than accepting above-the-odds rent. A written pet reference sounds helpful and to the point.

"Look, pet bonds are fixed, but I've personally set aside another $100 just so you know that I'll handle any pet damage."

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)


[info]firvulag
2008-12-12 08:40 am UTC (link)
yes, as opposed to having the last 3 places we lived in not need to use the pet bond...

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]firvulag
2008-12-12 07:25 am UTC (link)
yeah, well the ads might say that, but when we offered over $300 for a $280/wk place we still didn't get it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)


[info]stephbg
2008-12-12 09:11 am UTC (link)
Argh :-(

(Reply to this)


[info]lotus79
2008-12-12 02:16 pm UTC (link)
That sucks a whole lot. :( *hugs you both*

Luke reckons you should just not tell them about the cats, but I agree that would cause probs in the long run if you get caught. It's a pity that you get shot in the foot for being honest and up front, though.

One thing Luke's Mum used to do was talk directly to the owners about stuff and bypass the real estate agents. I dunno how she did it, but it helped them see her as a person rather than as another tenant-probably-going-to-trash-the-place.

I reckon the pet reference is a good idea, though. *crosses fingers and toes that the next one is a goer*

(Reply to this)


[info]kowren
2008-12-13 06:40 pm UTC (link)
Thinking good thoughts at you.

(Reply to this)


(9 comments) - (Post a new comment)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…