Lease for single parent

[sharvs]

My DP and I have agreed to separate. We are currently in Brisbane but my son and I will be moving back to our home town of Adelaide.

DP is in the Army so we have been living in service residents for the last 7 years with his name only on the lease.

My question is do real estate agents look down upon single parents who arent working & have no references? I will be on full Centrelink benefits until I can get a job.

[ashleerose]

When i first started looking into renting privately with a real estate as a single mum on centerlink, i did find that yes some people are very narrow minded and did look down at me but, in the end i found someone who although i knew thought they would regret taking me on as a tenant for their client was pleasently surprised (especially at the end of the lease when i left the house in perfect order, with rent one month in advance, so i had to have refund cheque given to me).

If you are having trouble getting the bond together go to the department of housing/housing trust and they will get you to fill in a form for the bond and in some cases pay not only the bond but two weeks in advance, once you have found a property that is acceptable (ie within your financial limits).
If you leave the property and all is good the bond is returned to the department. If you leave in bad terms you will owe the department.

There also other public housing organisations that can help and also provide a bond agreement (forget what it is called as i never had it but a friend of mine had to get one recently as she also didnt have a history of private rentals in her name).
Basically what it is, is a certificate/promise by the organisation that they will pay a thousand dollars on top of your bond to guarantee you as a good tenant.
(but, mind you if you arent that organisation will hunt you down and you will have to pay them back).

Another good idea is to get a 'centercare' form from centerlink (centercare can pay your rent directly from your payments to them, saves you the hassle and the real estate thinking that you wont pay your rent).
I offered this and it helped me get the place and i also paid extra rent on the place at the time, so that if anything happened i would be in front (although i always do that).

Consider putting your name down on the public housing lists, but be aware that in some areas it can be years and years away before you even get in the door and by then you may no longer qualify.

Dont forget to find out how much rent assistance you are entitled to (log on to centerlink website and you will be able to find out what it is based on the weekly rent) and mention this to the real estate so that they take this into consideration.

Obtain some personal character references, and anything to support your situation ie was married to a guy in defence and lived with him in accomodation without your name being on the lease, if possible get him to write up a letter confirming this.

GOOD LUCk

[LilShenanigans]

I don't think there is anything you can do to get away from some stereotypes and there will be a few people who believe them.

It just takes one agent to look at what you will be receiving from centrelink to realise that it is affordable (it could be a lot easier in Adelaide then it was in Sydney).

I've just got my first place out of the way though and have beautiful references from them... so from now on it won't be hard.

[MilkOnTap]

Sharvs I have no idea about your question - but I just wanted to say that I'm sorry it didnt work out...

You sound like your at ease with the decision and I know its been in the pipeline for a while. Take care and if you need to chat then I'm here :hugs:

[punkbaby]

Cant you get a freind to go reference or family or something? just to get in the door even if its like a sister or something just a though they dont need to now your related thats all :)

[Mum2Lucas]

My mum was the same after she sold her house and started to rent. it took a few months before she found a real estate that would look at her.

[KapowSchazam]

I had no probs getting the place I'm in. It was the first one I applied for, and I got it no problem at all! Just make sure that you provide references (personal obviously) that have known you for the longest time possible. I think that was what really helped me!

[m_jelly]

I'm a single mum on Centrelink benefits only, but I've found the best way is to not only do the application and references etc, but to write a letter of introduction, making you a real person,not just a name. Tell them about yourself, your family, what kind of work you plan to get and how you are moving forward etc.

Obviously dont confess all your sins, just show you will be a good tenant and deserve a chance.

The agency will usually pass this to the owner with the application.

Also, if you can get written references as well as permission for them to be called helps.

[Miss_Vicki]

It will be hard , But will be worth it :) There is someone out there that will .
I have had trouble but lucky usally to find Somone that will let me , Mabie try private rentals ;)

[sharvs]

Thanks for your help, everyone.

What sort of thing should i get written in my personal references?

[OneNowOneLater]

Sharvs.

I was having a hard time with the rental situation too. But, i can give you a name and number for Transport SA's property management office. I went thru a guy called Chris Hurrell - who gave me a chance... The phone number is 08 83432406. Transport SA, own heaps of houses around adelaide. And unlike a normal rental situation, the property manager actually selects who goes into the house, not an invisible home owner. Its really hard when you get rejected time after time cos you put down on the application that you're a single mum.... Trust me!

But, the homes that transport SA are pretty good. as long as you pay the rent, and generally take care of it, they're really good.

Hope this is helpful!

[mayzie82]

i have been renting for 10years now but when i moved to vic from nsw i found that my glowing references meant nothing after dealing with idiot agents and biased owners i found a great prperty manager at a few real estates i found that by speaking with them instead of just doing the rounds to pick up the rental lists each week they know you a bit and as they get to know you they are a great help my last agent was great and told me which properties to avoid as they wouldnt suit or would ring me with newly available ones before they were listed in one month she had me in a place and ive been in here for two years with a few more to come and if i move ill stick with her hopefully so we both win hehe so make yourself known and what you are looking for and dont take things to personally youll find something great
good luck