Need Help to Find a Flatmate?

Need help to find a flatmate? At Ziggie we have designed a system that is not only affordable but is also a dedicated site to connect people from all over Australia who are seeking a flatmate or a room to rent. So how can we help you? Read on to find out what makes us different.

One off fee: I'm not sure about you, but when I pay for something I generally like to get what I paid for. We believe it should be no different when it comes to advertising. This is why at ziggie you only pay one fee to place your ad. Your ad runs until you find a flatmate. There are no limited terms, ongoing subscription fees and no hidden costs.

Searching: We have designed the site so listings are only one click away. All major Australian cities are listed in the Quick Links box. Trying to find a flatmate that is a non-smoker, between 25-30, with no pets? Use the advanced search filter. Want to view listings posted today? Use the sort filter at the top of the search listings page to organise the listings.

Email Alerts: Don't have time to keep logging in to find a flatmate? Simple, create an account (register here) and then create an email alert. Add your criteria and your done. You will be emailed new listings matching your criteria and only your criteria. You can be guaranteed that you will not receive listings for Wagga Wagga if you are seeking a room in Sydney.

Advertising: Abbreviations begone! If you have ever tried to decipher: f/f hse, a/c lrg b/rm d/w s/srns, b/ins, emp prof fem, n/s, dlug, cls t'port - you will know what I am talking about. With a 2,500 word limit you can be as descriptive as you like.

With Ziggie you have the added ability of uploading photos and a video to your Ad. The location of your property will also be displayed using Google Maps. This provides the viewer with more information about the property and what amenities are in the area.

If you are concerned about your privacy we recommend that you omit the street number and just put in the street name. Also be selective over the types of photos you upload to our site. It is best to leave out the photos displaying the front of the property and the gigantic plasma tele. If you do not want strangers getting a hold of your email address and phone number, just check the "Prefer email only" box when placing an ad. All applications will be emailed via our site to your inbox, without having to display your email address.

As it is our business to help you find a flatmate we do not believe in hiding your Ad away to be viewed by "Subscribers Only." Anybody can view your Ad, not just the people that register with our site.

Premium Listings: need to find a flatmate or rent out a room urgently? No worries simply choose our Premium Listings option and your Ad will be highlighted and featured first above the standard listings.

Advice and Information: Need advice about how to find a flatmate? Go to our Help Centre page and our Blog. We are constantly updating it with checklists, news, advice and links.

Social Media: Keep up to date with all new listings, news and competitions by following us on twitter or becoming a fan on facebook. To make it easier for you to find a flatmate we have also have dedicated Twitter City Channels for the major cities within Australia (this fantastic idea comes from the lovely Zoe Freeman at zfweb). Trying to find a flatmate in Brisbane? Simply sign up to our Twitter Brisbane channel - @ZiggieBrisVegas and you will receive new listings for Brisbane only.

We are always interested in improving our service, so if you have any suggestions go to our feedback page, we would love to hear from you!

Q& A: What are the bond laws in my state?

Find out more information about your legal responsibilities and the laws in your state visit these links:

QLD - Residential Tenancies Authority - Rental Bonds
NSW - Department of Fair Trading - Bonds
VIC - Consumer Affairs Victoria - Rental Bonds
SA - Consumer and Business Affairs - Bonds and Rent
WA - Department of Commerce - Bonds
NT - Department of Justice - Bonds & Security Deposits Fact Sheet
TAS - Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading - My Bond
ACT - Department of Justice & Community Safety - Office of Rental Bonds

My Interview with Nett Mag!

Here is the interview for the article about Ziggie in Nett magazine. I thought, maybe your interested in it. Have a fantastic weekend. See you!

Mackay-based Clare McFadyen wanted a website that listed shared accommodation for regional centres and couldn't find one - so she built her own. Our panel gives her some ideas to build up buzz and momentum.

Up for a challenge? Try finding shared accommodation for a 20-something in a regional centre or country town. Clare McFadyen got tired of the struggle, so she decided to launch ziggie.com.au, a shared accommodation directory that covers the whole of Australia, not just Sydney and Melbourne.

"I usually advertise through the local newspaper, but it's quite expensive and there's no guarantee you'll get a response," she says.

"I found that the major websites really didn't have any ads for regional centres like Mackay in Queensland, where I live. So I wanted to start a website that I wished existed."

After three years of research, preparation and building the site, Clare is ready to launch. "It took me a long time because I was working full-time and just doing it on the weekends," she says.

Clare needs to get a critical mass of people visiting and advertising on the site so all her hard work and research can start paying off. She needs a hook to get people in - and our expert panel has just the thing....

Read the rest here.

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.