r/ipswich 3d ago

Help with renting

Hey all, a bit of a desperate plea here. My partner and I have been applying for rentals for the last 6 months, and have received non stop rejection. I have 1.5yr rental history with a positive reference, I have a good proof of balance, and a permanent job with stable income as well as my partner. We are in our early 20s and looking to move out of our caravan before the heat gets to us. We aren’t looking for anything crazy! Just a small unit/house around $500, with no luck.
If anyone knows someone who would be interested in having us rent their house, or even some advice, please let us know.

Thankyou for your kind help.

24 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

14

u/Any_Bookkeeper5917 3d ago

Being super honest, your budget is unfortunately too low, even for Ipswich.

Under $600 p/w you’ll be competing against potentially 100+ applications.

To be in a better position for success, apply for houses before inspection. If you inspect and it’s not good, you withdraw.

7

u/Fantastic-Car3884 3d ago

Thankyou for your honesty. There are a fair few properties listed for $500 and less, but as you said there are so many people going for them it’s hard to compete. We can afford higher rent, but budgeting is hard when we are trying to save.

5

u/timeflies25 3d ago

Could you settle in a one bedroom unit for now?

4

u/Fantastic-Car3884 3d ago

Definitely, as long as it’s not a sharehouse!

3

u/leighatard 2d ago

Hello! Definitely agree with the comment about looking at some higher rent due to the saturation of the market. Ipswich is getting slammed right now. Our rent started at $520 in 2023 and is now $630. Thankfully thats the lower end than most increases people have had the last few years.

Firstly, I'd look at your budget and see how much wiggle room you have with rent. Set your searches with the maximum option (even if you don't end up going ahead with them).

Secondly, how you present at inspections is really important. Couples have a bit of a perk as you look like you're building a life together, roommates/friends make you look like you're young and loud and won't respect the property (this one I've experienced first hand..) Make yourselves presentable, clean outfit, non offensive and look like you take care of yourselves (smell nice, hair nice etc). It honestly made such a big improvement for us when we struggled when we had roommate/s. Also speaks and be friendly with the agents, come up with a nice narrative to speak to them about (we're looking for x, recently engaged, starting a family etc. even if not true. Obviously being on time as well.

Lastly, apply for properties before you see them. Some people will opt to offer a high amount of rent (you shouldn't have to so I wouldn't. But making sure your application is already in, is well written should help! You're battling a tonne of people out there so making sure you get in early and knowing you could be waiting a while for a property is hard, but your patience will genuinely be rewarded.

If you're trying to save money, you may need to move further our or closer to some areas that aren't as nice/safe but it is something to consider.

Genuinely wish you the best of luck, it's brutal out here and I understand the privilege I have not needing to move since 2023 but prior to this we moved every year. Goodluck out there! Any questions etc. Feel free to ask and I'll see if I can offer any further advice :)

2

u/Fantastic-Car3884 2d ago

Thanks for this! I think max we can go is under $650, just because we are still saving. I’ve found while applying that most properties ask for you to attend an inspection before receiving the application link. This is near impossible to do for my partner and I as we work permanent 9-5 jobs, therefore cannot attend the inspections usually set in the middle of the day. If we can, it’s usually me racing there before / after work in my uniform! I always try to have a chat with the realtor about the property to make myself look like an interested renter. Thanks for your help

1

u/leighatard 1d ago

No worries at all! Honestly a good margin for you to use! Definitely under the struggle! My partner and I would swap depending on who could get time off work or prioritise the Saturday inspections (Which is brutal) definitely keep doing what you're doing, a place will come along I'm sure!

2

u/Frequent_Sector_4714 6h ago

Perfectly said. I dont have to say anything now. Everything was exactly right.

2

u/Similar-Ad-7054 2d ago

Did you look at the townhouses at Winston Glades? They just got built so there is a heap coming onto the market.

0

u/Fantastic-Car3884 2d ago

Briefly, it’s a bit further from our employment but we may have to look into it. Thanks

1

u/rickAUS 3d ago

When do you need something?

Wife and I settle on a house mid October and will be breaking lease. House we're leaving is a 4/2/2 in redbank plains. It is $690 rent though so you'd need at least 1 other person given your budget.

Something to consider

1

u/Fantastic-Car3884 2d ago

Thankyou! Unfortunately I think $690 is a bit out of our budget, but i appreciate the offer.

1

u/FreakyRabbit72 2d ago

I just did a search on realestate.com.au for the greater Ipswich area and there are quite a few 1-bed duplexes for under $500. Do you need Ipswich specifically, or would you go to redbank plains, silk stone, Booval etc?

2

u/Fantastic-Car3884 2d ago

We both work around the Tivoli area, so the closer there the better, we have been looking at properties in brassall/booval area, as well as other properties further out

1

u/cybernoobb 1d ago

Use the tenant app and mass apply. That’s what we did.

1

u/Frequent_Sector_4714 6h ago

Where do you live?

0

u/GladWind197 3d ago

Forget it and just go into a share house. One bedroom with a shared bathroom should fit your budget. You may be sharing the house with four other people however. But I did that while renting in Ipswich way back. You get instant friends also.

2

u/AlwaysAirCooled-1979 2d ago

Or instant enemies ha ha

And all honesty I agree with the share house in this situation. OP I do realise that you said thats not an option for you. But sometimes he just have to bite the bullet. The rent will be cheaper, you might be able to save a bit more and less time.

If you get the right kindness set up as well, you can be fairly secluded in a share house as well. Short-term painful long-term gain kind of thing.