Q & A: If I rent a property who pays for the insurance?

The owner of the property is responsible for paying the rates and for insuring the property. That is, insurance for the physical building and not for your personal belongings.

If you want protection for your personal belongings you will need to take out "Contents Insurance." This will cover the cost of your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged.

ANU launches shipping container student housing facility - Canberra

HOME SWEET HOME!

"A housing facility made out of pre-fabricated shipping containers and designed to accommodate 3,700 students will be launched at the Australian National University in Canberra today."

Did we read that correctly? Yup shipping containers = student accommodation. Go ANU! Can't wait to see the electricity bill for the air-con!

That's it! Sounds like we have some serious competition! :)

Source: Look Forward

Q & A: I am moving into an existing share house and my new flatmate has asked for a bond. How can I make sure that I get this back?

As this is an existing share house your new flatmates would have already paid the bond when they moved into the property. In this situation flatmates pass bond money between themselves for any new tenants coming in and going out.

You will need to fill out a Change of Shared Bond Arrangement form (this form may be called something different in your state) and this is to be lodged with your State Authority (i.e. in Queensland it is the Residential Tenancies Authority). Usually your real estate agent will do this on your behalf. Be sure to keep a photocopy of this form for your own records.

If you choose to move, and your flatmate stays, you will have to fill out another one of these forms and get your flatmate to refund your bond or lodge a Refund of Rental Bond form (depending on your state this called something different). Bond money does not usually get refunded until the tenancy has ended. So if you are the only tenant moving out, usually you will be refunded your share of the bond by the other tenants, or by the new tenant moving in. For more information contact your real estate agent.