Finding a place to live

Once you have decided on your budget and what you want in a property, it's time to start looking.

There are multiple online real estate websites that list homes available for rent, with photographs and property information. You can often take a virtual tour to see if a home is right for you before inspecting it in person.

Another option is to leave your details with one or more real estate agents. If a property comes up that matches your needs, you may get notified before it’s listed publicly.

When looking for a rental property, it’s important to consider the real estate agent you will be dealing with. You may want to:

• research their reputation
• check they have a valid real estate agent licence at Service NSW.

Once you have one or more properties that meet your needs, you’ll want to:

• inspect the property in person
• apply for the property, if you want to live there.

The rental market can be competitive. You may need to find, inspect and apply for properties a number of times before you find one you want or have your application accepted.

If you're having trouble finding a rental home that meets your needs, consider having another look at:

• your budget
• the area you want to live in
• the type of property you're looking for.

See the section Before you start looking for information to help you do this.