Who would you rent it out to?

[Pandora]

Without intentianlly causing offence to anyone who may be in govt housing, if you rent it to DoH then you have no control over the tennants that they put in the house.
If you rent it to anyone else you get to deicde based on their applications and have a better idea of the sort of tennant you are getting.

[~clover~]

I was thinking that. DoH might end up being more drama's than someone you know you can trust.
I guess they would repair any damage done, & hopefully be reliable. Some good people rent through DoH, but on the other hand, some aren't so good.
I don't know, I've seen alot of not so good DoH renters. More than good ones, but thats probably just where I grew up.

[skybie]

hmm tough one hun. i agree with pandora, i really wouldnt go the DoH route, to risky, u dont know what condition ur house will be in at the end of it (ACA horror stories come to mind! eek!)
as for the friend, i wouldnt do that either, ppl tend to take advantage of situations even though u think they wont, ei oh i dont have rent this week i'll give it to u next week....next week...heres part will have the rest next week IYKWIM?

if it were me i'd rent it through the real estate, atleast that way they HAVE to pay rent, and if they dont u can kick them out and u can screen potential tenants and get the weekly rate ur after

[MrsFabuloso]

Thanks ladies, most of the reasoning you have all pointed out WRT DoH are issues I had. I am trying to open minded about it, I know not everyone through DoH is, but there are so many dodgy tennants through DoH. (So sorry if I have offended!)
With my Bro's friend we will be going through the RE anyway. If he rents, it will be through the real estate because we will be 900km away. I want the RE to be in charge.
I have a gut feeling we should go with Bro's friend. I know if we went with DoH they would be responsible for any damage or lost rent, ect, but I still have reservations. I just can't explain that well to DH or with sensible reasoning, to him having a gut feeling isn't good enough. Though lately I have noticed I have been trusting my gut and it's always right. If I can get Bro's friend to pay the full rent and sign a 1yr lease, DH will be happy.

[Visitor7]

I used to work as a Property Manager, and to be honest, I personally would not lease any of our investment properties to DoH. Only because I have seen first hand what can happen. Of course, this is generalising DoH a lot, and I know there are some lovely tenants that rent through them. But as a whole, nope, wouldn't do it. You don't know who you're rent to. Whereas, with bro's friend, or any other tenant for that matter, the RE can do the proper checks on them, and you know (to a certain degree) who you are renting to. And if there are any problems with vacating, rent, etc, the RE deals with the tenants. Dealing with a Govt agency regarding this is a nightmare.

[*Beema*]

I have a rental property, about to sell it though But I would rent to Bro's friend through the agent.

Some DoH renters a great, really clean respectful, others not so much and as you can't control who you get I wouldn't rent it out to DoH, it is your investment and I wouldn't like to take the risk IYKWIM.
Goodluck

[BrightSparkles]

Rent it to me

Go with your gut. Personally probably the bros friend.

[PumpkinZulu]

When my family moved to melbourne, mum bought a great flat in a great block. We lived there for 13 years (mum and little bro still do). Only downside; one of the flats was rented out to the DoH. I know not everyone in govt housing are bad people, but over the course of my 13 years living there, there is no way I would rent your flat out to them, sorry. We have had drug dealers, bashing, police there at all hours. Our property was stolen and damaged. The owners of the flats were the body corporate, we got new gates and a new driveway put in; gates were smashed by 'friends' of the people in the DoH flat. It all came to a head with some people going upstairs to a neighbours flat and bashing her son who was visiting from Japan, right in front of his wife and 6 week old baby. You will have no control over who comes and goes. I'd go with your bro's friend, as at least you will be able to have your bro visit and you will have that piece of mind. Hth.

[Floweryfields]

Without intentianlly causing offence to anyone who may be in govt housing, if you rent it to DoH then you have no control over the tennants that they put in the house.
If you rent it to anyone else you get to deicde based on their applications and have a better idea of the sort of tennant you are getting.

That's basically what I was going to say - through DOH you won't know who it is going to be renting.

[Pretty Butterfly]

ETA... they have literally ripped up carpet and thrown it over the fence, rubbish everywhere, trashed the fence, have beer bottles everywhere and we have heard him punching walls all the time.
After an inspection, they are still allowed to stay 4 years as they were told they get it for 5 years.

We were also told they are stricter... we actually spoke to the head office in Sydney... that loosly translates into they are stricter who they let rent... the more needy get them, not the best tenants!!!