8 tips for a winning rental application on realestate.com.au 

Becoming the winning applicant for a rental is no easy feat, but armed with the right knowledge, a tenant has the best chance to snag their new dream home.

Realestate.com.au has built a new rental application management platform to help renters navigate their way through the difficult application process. By understanding how it works, renters could find their application at the top of the pile.

The new platform available via Ignite will;

• Collect only the most important information to secure the rental  
• Create a place to manage and check on the status of all applications  
• Allow renters to get started and keep references on file before applying for the perfect property through Renter Profile
• Allow renters to apply straight from the property page by hitting the ‘apply’ button
• Help to improve an applicant’s trustworthiness to property managers and landlords with Tenant Check.

Looking to create a winning rental application? Here are eight items to check off your application to-do list.

1. Build a Renter Profile

Renter Profile is where to go online to prepare and collate the documentation required for the rental application. Fill out your information and documentation once, then your future rental applications are only a few clicks away.

2. Ensure you have all sources of income uploaded

Property Managers need to ensure that applicants can afford the rent. In most markets, they review the application and calculate that the rent is no more than 35% of an applicant’s annual income to responsibly appoint the right tenant. In some more competitive markets like Sydney, there is an understanding that this needs to be more. Remember to provide a payslips, or account balances to prove the sources of income. You don’t need to send bank statements with itemised transactions to prove this in Victoria. 

3. Follow up with your references

Property managers use employment references and address history references as testimonials for good renters and trustworthy applicants. Ensure your application is complete by following up with your references – the status of the automatically generated references will appear as they complete the testimonials.

4. Pitch for the property

Give yourself the best chance and tell the property manager why you’re a great fit for the property. This introduction should be formal but let some of your personality shine through. 

Use the ‘About Me’ section similar to creating a cover letter and make sure to share: 

• Why are you looking to move, what’s your rental history? 
• Who’s applying with you?  Include people and pets 
• Why are you suited for the property? Why are you a good fit for it? 

If you have exceptional circumstances or you need to explain something, include this as well in the About Me section.

5. Inspect the property

Show up as the best version of yourself. Be on time, make sure to introduce yourself to the property manager and be presentable.

It is preferable to inspect the property, so make sure to indicate that you have inspected or intend to inspect when submitting your application

6. Prepare your housemates

If applying with housemates or other leaseholders, ensure they submit their part of the application. When you initially apply for the property, you can invite other applicants to join. 

The application will only be sent to the property manage when all applicants have completed their bit. So, make sure they’ve submitted their part, so that the property manager can start processing the application. 

Even better, encourage them to set up their Renter Profile in advance so they’re ready to go.

7. Pet information

Pets are part of the family. So treat their part of the application as you would a leaseholder. 

Provide as much information as possible to give to the property manager and landlord to show that they’ll be respectful of the property. 

Include breed or type, weight, age and temperament, or a pet profile link if you have one. Pictures can also help.

8. Give yourself a better chance with Tenant Check

Realestate.com.au offer applicants the option to purchase a Tenant Check Report for $29. 

The report will verify the applicant’s identification through Equifax and run a number of checks to show that the person is trustworthy. 

Checks completed: 

• Identification checks (Australian passport or Australian driver licence) 
• National Tenancy database checks 
• Court record checks 
• Bankruptcy checks 

The report is stored on the Renter Profile and also emailed as a PDF to be reused for all rental applications. The report is valid for six months. 

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