There are many important stages in the journey to becoming a tenant, and it’s vital that you don’t skip any. 

Aspiring tenants should follow these simple steps: 

1.    Find your property online

Choosing the right property is crucial because the wrong one could ruin your renting experience.

The good news is that Little Real Estate manages over 21,000 rental properties across 3 states – so there are many options available.

Simply search our website for properties located in your preferred areas.

Narrow your search by pricing, suburb, number of bedrooms, bathrooms or car spaces.

Once your list has been shortened to the suitable properties, you can compare the ones that match your needs and pick your favourites to inspect. 

The next step is arranging your inspections, which is as simple as clicking the ‘Book Inspection’ button below your chosen properties – and filling in the details as required.

You’ll receive a confirmation email or an SMS, depending on the details providing, providing the time and date of the inspection.

2.    Attend an inspection

Arrive on time to the inspection and keep a sharp eye as you look around. It’s important that you know a home has all the features you need before you apply to live in it.  

3.    Submit your application

Once you’ve found and inspected a property that you love, the next thing you need to do is put in your application.

You can click ‘Apply’ on the property of your choice, or you can download a Little Real Estate property application form here.

You’ll need to provide the following crucial information:

• Basic personal details
• Details of your current and previous addresses
• Next of kin contact details
• Personal and professional references
• Details of rental history
• 100 points of identification – for example, your driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, or bank statement
• Employment details or proof of income
• Any other documents requested by the property manager

Sending through your application is easy. You can do it online or in person at the property inspection, or mail it in to one of our offices. But the simplest way to send in your application is to email it through to [email protected]. 

After that, we try to get it processed within 48 hours so that you know the result as soon as possible.

4.    Accept the lease

After you find out that you’ve been approved for the tenancy, you’ll need to come in and sign the lease within 24-48 hours so that we can cease advertising the property. 

If you're applying for a property in New South Wales, you'll need to pay 1 week of rent as a holding deposit to secure the property once your application has been approved - prior to signing the lease. If you change your mind and decide not to sign the lease, you may forfeit your deposit.

When you meet with us, your property manager will carefully explain all the details of your lease to you. Since this can take a little while, we suggest allowing for 45 minutes for this tenancy induction.

We’ll also explain the bond lodgement process, and the method for actioning emergency repairs. At this point, you will be required to sign the lease, pay 2-4 weeks rent in advance, and pay the agreed bond amount.  

This initial payment can be done via BPAY in some states, or by bank cheque or money order in others – check with your property manager to find out the most convenient method available to you.

5.    Make your new home liveable

Your lease will have a start date, but it’s your responsibility to ensure that you connect power, gas, phone, internet, and any other service you need before you move in.

We can make this easy for you. If you’ve indicated on your application that you’d like us to arrange connections on your behalf, we can do this with connectnow – and we’ll organise your basic utilities free of charge.

You will have been provided with a property condition report in your lease pack. You’ll need to fill this in, sign it, and return it to us within the first week of your tenancy. If this isn’t returned, the original inspection will be used for end of tenancy comparison.

Don’t forget to consider home contents insurance. If your goods are damaged or destroyed by circumstances impacting the owner’s property, they are not protected under the owner’s home insurance cover. 

Please contact your insurer to clarify what your coverage entails, and ensure that you are covered in the event of an incident or accident. Your property manager is also happy to assist with any helpful advice. Once your application has been approved, you will be required to pay a minimum of 2 weeks rent to secure the property. And then it’s yours!