If you’re looking for a new rental, one month of the year may give you the best chance of snagging the perfect place.
Gearing up to find a new rental? You might be wondering whether the time of year makes a difference to your success.
Well, it possibly could. Property data shows that one month in particular has the highest number of new listings, which means it may indeed be the optimal time to find a new home.
When looking for a rental, there are certainly some months that are better than others. Picture: Origin
To help you better prepare for your upcoming property hunt, here’s the lowdown on when you should start looking, plus tips for maximising your search and getting the most out of your rental – from organising moving day to securing award-winning internet and energy deals from Origin Energy.
What’s the best time of year to get a rental?
According to PropTrack data, January may be the best month for nabbing a rental.
Over the last five years, January has consistently seen 19% more new listings compared to the five-year average for other months, making it the busiest month for rentals.
There could be several reasons behind the seasonal surge, including families and students relocating ahead of the school or academic year; people starting new jobs and looking for a place closer to work; others on holiday breaks and having more time to orchestrate a move; and simply the beginning of a new year inspiring movers to start fresh.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, January is also more competitive.
PropTrack data also shows that in January 2023, rental enquiries were 53% higher than the average number of new listings during the rest of the year.
So even though there are more listings to choose from, there are also more renters to compete against – making January both an opportunity and a challenge.
Tips for finding the right rental
Here are some tips for getting your property hunt off to a strong start.
Start early
With competition at an all-time high in January, it pays to start your search as early as possible.
This allows you to explore more options and potentially lock in viewings before official open inspections.
Get your documents in order
Have all of the necessary documents on hand so you can act quickly when you come across your ideal home.
These include different forms of ID, rental references, your rental history or ledger and proof of income.
Make your application stand out
Submit a compelling application that clearly demonstrates why you’re the top tenant.
Things that could help include strong references, proof of stable income and possibly even a cover letter.
With so much competition for rentals, make sure that you're putting your best foot forward in your application. Picture: Origin
Even better, pre-fill your application if a property looks promising, so that after the inspection you can submit it in a timely manner. This will bring your application to the top of the agent's inbox and show your proactivity.
Consider areas with lower competition
Certain areas attract fewer applicants than others. If you’re willing to compromise, consider looking at locations that aren’t as in-demand.
This could be a neighbouring suburb that doesn’t have the same prestige or popularity, or even a totally different part of your city.
Be flexible
You might get lucky and come across the perfect rental that ticks all your boxes, from location to amenities.
But with higher competition, you might have to be somewhat flexible with what you’ll accept – perhaps a home slightly further away from the CBD or one a little older than you’d like.
The same goes for your move-in dates; while it might be possible to time your move perfectly, you may have to put up with (and pay for) a bit of overlap between rentals.Getting the most out of your new rental
Once you’ve nabbed a place, the journey doesn’t stop. The next step is to get the most out of your new home.
Connect before you move
Moving to a new place is a great opportunity to take stock of your current energy and internet providers.
In fact, realestate.com.au survey data shows that 31% of movers change internet and 36% change electricity before a relocation and 66% of surveyed movers take a look at their finances.
Origin Energy, for instance, is a much-loved retailer among renters, with competitive offers across both energy and internet.
Origin has internet plans to suit every household. If you sign up with Origin before 1pm, they can connect your new home to nbn the very next day – so you’ll be able to stream your favourite songs as soon as you arrive and the unpacking begins.
But the best part is that no matter how many people are streaming TV shows or movies, playing video games, or on Zoom calls all day, your internet connection will be strong enough to handle it all.
Connecting your utilities before moving day will make the whole process more seamless. Picture: Origin
They also offer heaps of different perks across their energy and internet plans like free 12-month Paramount+ subscription on internet plans, and Woolworths Everyday Rewards points on internet and energy plans (T&Cs apply). They also offer a great rewards program available to all customers, just for signing up.
Get energy savvy
Taking stock of your finances and understanding your costs is one thing, but maximising your money is a whole other ball game.
This is where Origin can help with their great deals. They can hook you up to electricity and / or; natural gas, LPG, embedded networks, hot water and / or solar (if your new rental allows) and if you bundle one of these plans with internet, you can enjoy $10 off your internet per month.
Origin also has a great mobile app, eco-friendly options if you’re looking to offset your carbon footprint, and a super convenient move-in service that gets you settled swiftly and seamlessly – making the switch easy.
Make move day a breeze
Moving can be an incredibly stressful experience, but with a bit of forward planning, it doesn’t necessarily have to be doesn’t necessarily have to be.
Start packing a few weeks before the big day to avoid last-minute panic; clearly label your boxes to make the unpacking process easier; hire removalists or organise a moving van well in
advance; and arrange pet-sitting for your furry friends. Also consider packing an overnight bag with essentials so you don’t have to dig around for your toothbrush, chargers and a change of clothes (thank us later).
Personalise your space
While there may be limits on what you can do in a rental, there are several easy ways to make your new home feel more, well, homely.
Put up your art pieces and photos soon after you move in. Purchase your favourite candle or diffuser to add a familiar and welcoming scent.
Depending on the restrictions in your new home, you could also swap out items like the shower curtain, light fittings or cabinet handles for ones you’ve purchased yourself (just make sure to keep and swap them back in when you move out).
Be a model renter
Respecting your rental property is key to a positive experience.
Getting the property is one thing, but make sure you're a model renter throughout your tenancy. Picture: Origin
Pay your rent on time and stick with the terms set out in your lease. Notify your property manager or landlord (in writing) of any issues with the property as quickly as possible so problems don’t get worse.
Do your best to keep the property in good shape and ensure your communications with the property manager or landlord are professional and courteous.
All of this will make your tenancy run smoothly and help you secure a solid reference when it’s time to nab your next rental.
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