Guide for new renters

Are you about to join the third of Australians who are renting? There are a few things to keep in mind as a renter including what you can do to your rental, how to still make it feel like home without sacrificing your bond, and what your rights are. This guide will help you stay on top of the things you need to know, while giving you ideas on how to make your rental yours.

The first rule of renting is that the property needs to be returned to its original condition at the end of your lease. This means that whatever changes you make need to be ones you can easily undo and that won’t make any lasting changes to the condition of the property.

There are some permanent changes that you can ask your landlord’s permission for, such as painting the walls, making upgrades to the kitchen, adding additional security doors or fly screens, putting in a garden, or making disability-related modifications. Whether you’ll be allowed to do these depends very much on your landlord, and you may still need to return it to its original condition afterwards.

There are plenty of ways to decorate your home without violating the terms of your lease, bringing a sense of your personality and home to your rental. We’ve put together a home décor guide, giving you ideas of where to start when it comes to decorating, including ways that are rental-home-friendly.

One of the best things in a renter’s arsenal are sticky hooks. There are plenty of options, sizes, and weight capacities from brands like Command, so that taking them off at the end of your lease won’t damage the paint on your walls. Just make sure to read the instructions on how to take them off and what angle to use when pulling – this can mean the difference between a clean removal and a not-so-clean one.

Places like Bunnings, Big W and Officeworks have plenty of adhesive hook types to choose from, so you won’t just be able to hang up your art, but can also make your kitchen, bathroom and other rooms handier by hanging things.

Other options can be getting imaginative with your furniture. Brands like IKEA often have ideas for innovative ways to transform a space using just furniture instead of having to make any permanent build changes. They also understand that some rentals have space constraints and how multi-use furniture with storage options can create the feeling of more space.

Another thing to keep in mind if you do find yourself moving often is what the best internet option is. Our wireless home broadband means you don’t have to worry about disconnecting or reconnecting your service, as long as you’re in an Optus service area all you have to do is plug it in and you’ll be good to go.

Planning your next move and want to know your options? Our relocation service will let you know what options you’ve got to choose from, whether you’re a new or existing customer, as well as the best plans in the market.

Tenants in Australia have different rights across the different states when it comes to things like when the landlord wants you to move out, whether you can have pets in your rental, getting your bond back at the end of your lease, rental increases, when your landlord can get access to your rental, and more.

To learn more about the specific rights in your state, you can contact your state’s Tenants Union. Each union will be happy to provide you with legal advice and information so you can know what protections and rights you have.

If you do have any issues over things like the termination of your tenancy agreement, wrongful eviction, rental rate increases, or reduction or reimbursement for rent, you can lodge a dispute with your state’s tenancy tribunal.

Renting your home can give you freedom of not being tied to a mortgage or having to pay for repairs or property taxes. However, choosing to rent also means being aware of what you are allowed to do, as well as your rights as a renter. Another important thing as a renter is getting your new home connected to the internet, and with our home internet options you’ll be able to choose the one that’s right for you.

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