Ziggie in Nett Mag!

This is my first published article in print and I'm so excited. Many thanks to Josh Mehlman, Zoe Freeman, Jonathan Crossfield and the Nett team for all the fantastic advice! The magazine is on sale now! You can read the full article here.

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.

Peaches jets ex-flatmate to Big Apple

Even celebrities have flatmates! Homesick Peaches has taken the drastic step of flying one of her ex-flatmates to America to stay with her.


Earlier this year Peaches made the move to New York, but is finding it hard to cope without her close friends. As a result, Peaches has flown her former flatmate and good friend Lily over to keep her company.

Jealous! Us!

See full story at: London Evening Standard

Would you be Peaches flatmate for a free trip to the Big Apple?

Q & A: How much bond can I be charged?

If your rent is $500 a week or less (that would be most of us), the maximum bond you can be charged is equal to four weeks rent. So if your rent is $100 per week the maximum bond you can be charged is $400. Alternatively if your rent is more than $500 per week (for all those money bags out there!) there is no limit.

Please Note: this is information is for Queensland only and laws may vary from state to state.

Q & A: I have an existing lease. Do I have to get permission before my new housemate can move in?

Yes. The owner of the property has the right to know and approve people living in their property. You must contact the lessor/agent/owner about any tenancy changes and you will have to get your new flatmate to complete a Rental Application Form before they move in.

It is essential that the lessor/agent/owner is notified each time tenancy changes occur. It is also in your best interest to add your new housemate to your existing lease for your own protection. So all tenants are responsible for payment of rent and payment of any compensation owned - if the Tenancy Agreement is breached.

If the lessor/agent/owner refuses to accept your housemate's application, you can apply to your State Authority's Dispute Resolution Service. Although keep in mind that most real estate agents will do a though review of the application and check any tenancy databases (ie. Tica) for any tenancy defaults - such as unpaid rent. So, if your new housemate's application has been refused there is probably a very good reason.