Accommodation in Perth

Accommodation in Perth comes in all shapes and sizes. Expats will need to decide what kind of property they prefer, what they can afford, and in which area or suburb of Perth they’d like to settle in before beginning their search.

Types of accommodation in Perth

Expats will find that there are plenty of housing options available in Perth. These range from furnished and unfurnished apartments (known as flats), to houses, studios and condos. The standard of accommodation varies significantly depending on the area.

It is worth noting that houses in Perth are built to keep their residents cool and not warm, and central heating and double-glazed windows are therefore a rarity. 

Finding accommodation in Perth

Expats will find that they may be required to do most of the house hunting themselves. Online property portals, social networks and newspaper classifieds are a good starting point.

Alternatively, working with an estate agent can make the process simpler and may yield better results than going it alone. Estate agents also often have access to property listings before they go on the open market.

Renting accommodation in Perth

Making an application

Viewings for accommodation in Perth are usually at set times, and if the property is well priced, expats should expect to be viewing with a number of other people. Many properties are managed through an agent and references will usually be required. Applicants must also submit extensive proof-of-identity documentation according to the 100-point check. According to this system, various documents are assigned a number of points based on importance, and these must add up to 100 points for the application to be considered.

Leases and deposits

In Perth, leases are generally for a year. A month’s rent is usually required as a deposit and is refundable at the end of the rental period. At the end of the lease, any costs for cleaning or repairs to damage that the tenant is directly responsible for will be taken out of the deposit.

Paying rent

In property listings, rental prices are typically quoted on a per-week basis. Rental payments may be weekly, fortnightly or monthly, so this should be clarified before signing on.

Utilities

Utility bills are usually not included in the rental price and are the responsibility of the tenant to pay.