Housing
Finding a rental and what to check at inspection
Where to look (realestate.com.au, Domain, flatmates), the typical application timeline, paperwork agents want, and what to actually check at a 20-minute open inspection.
Published 17 May 2026 · Last reviewed 17 May 2026
Finding a place to rent
Where to look
- realestate.com.au — the dominant listings site nationally.
- Domain — second-biggest, popular with apartment seekers in Sydney and Melbourne.
- flatmates.com.au — for sharing a place with existing tenants.
- Facebook Marketplace / Facebook groups — for sublets and informal arrangements (more risk).
- Gumtree — older, less used now but still has some listings.
The typical timeline
- Most listings get 1 to 3 inspection times per week (often Saturdays). You attend the inspection, then apply.
- Decisions are usually made within 1–7 days. In hot markets, same-day.
- From application to moving in is typically 1–4 weeks.
The application paperwork
- Photo ID (passport or driver's licence).
- Visa grant letter (for non-citizens).
- Proof of income — 3 recent payslips, employment letter, or bank statements showing savings.
- Rental history — previous landlord references, photos of previous places if relevant.
- A pet bio (yes, really) if you have one.
- A short cover letter — short paragraph about who you are and why you'll be a good tenant. Helps in competitive markets.
Online application platforms Most agents use one of:
- 2Apply — common in NSW, VIC and QLD.
- Ignite Tenant Application
- Snug
- 1Form
These collect everything in one go and you can re-use the profile across applications. Good. They also share your information with the agent, sometimes with screening services. Read the privacy policies if you care.
At the inspection
Open inspections are public. Whoever is there can apply. You usually get 15–30 minutes to look around with 5 to 30 other people.
What to check
- Water pressure (turn taps on).
- Heating and cooling — note what kind. "Reverse cycle" = standard ducted or split-system air con with heat. "Gas heater" = gas. Some apartments have neither.
- Storage — wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, balcony storage.
- Phone reception inside the building (many CBD apartments have weak coverage).
- Mould signs — black spots around window frames and bathroom ceilings.
- Damage — note anything visible.
- NBN type — call the National Broadband Network address checker. "FTTP" is fastest, "FTTN" is slower, "Sky Muster" (regional) can be patchy.
Questions to ask the agent
- Is the property furnished?
- What's included in the rent? (water usage is sometimes paid by tenant, sometimes by landlord, depending on state and meter type)
- Has the rent changed recently?
- Why is the current tenant leaving?
- How many applications have come in?