SO, how hard can they possibly make it?? :/

As if devastating my children, breaking up my family, abandoning a lifetime of dreams, hopes and aspirations, losing my best friend, my stability and half of my identity wasn't hard enough.

Apparently now I can't move interstate without seeing a property in person... WTF? And I would have to sign a 5.5month lease as a"trial" period...WTF? I sign a lease, I am paying the rent, it isn't Perfect Match for Christ's sake, you don't have to like me, I just have to pay the rent and look after the place!
So how do you expect me to be able to move if I can't view a house because it is on the OTHER SIDE OF THE FREAKING COUNTRY and I can't rent a house without viewing it. Are you 15 photos of the place deceptive in some way? Are you not being up front about the condition of the property? Is it so hard to do the condition report and allow me to view it in lieu of actually seeing the place in person? Can we not all accept that I am an adult and am making a choice to sign a lease for 12 months for a house I haven't seen in person because I HAVE NO OTHER FREAKING CHOICE? Because the notion of living in a bloody CARAVAN PARK after completely destroying my children's lives, until I can find a place and then move, yet again, is beyond impractical and cruel to them?

Oh, what's that you say? I could get around it if I offered to pay 3 or 6 months rent UPFRONT? Riiight, because I have $6k just sitting around doing nothing! I am sure if I ask nicely the bank will give an UNemployed, divorcing SAHM mum with 2 dependents and no residential address a loan to pay rent up front. Yep, that is what will happen.

Well, just is just fabulous, do you think you could make it any more difficult than it already is? Cheers.

:hug: Hun.

Will they except a stat dec stating that you accept the house in the condition it is now?

Can someone view the house as your proxy?

If its in Melbourne- I might be able to help- I'm in the northern suburbs.

Em, pretty sure Lime is looking bayside, not near us.

That really sucks Hun. Is it just one agent telling you this, or is it the same story everywhere you try?

:hug: One battle at a time. You can do this.

Yeah I have someone that can, but it is just a PITA trying to organise them to do it - the houses are open for 10 mins at a time, and they cancel the opens without any prior notice, or they don't have them planned and you can't just get the keys anymore for some stupid reason to look at it.
It is just ridiculous. They know the circumstances, what if I DIDN'T have anyone who could look? I asked about a stat dec and got laughed at...so worried about covering their arses.
I would look for a private rental and save the RE bull****, but I have no idea how to go about that with not seeing even photos of the house like I can online.

Thanks Emma :) Just seems like every step I take reveals yet another bloody mountain I have to climb over when it just simply shouldn't be this hard.

Sucks Hun, really really sucks.

We had the same issue when we moved from Townsville to Brisbane, we had no renting history because we owned and had to view it in person! Was a pain in the bum.

As others have said, can you get someone to view it on your behalf? If it were in Sydney I would help out :hug:

Hope you find an easy solution.

That's really sucky and doesnt make sense. I'm Bayside atm, so could look for you.

Otherwise could you stay in a Quest or similar for a week or so? Though that's expensive.

:

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Yeah I have someone that can, but it is just a PITA trying to organise them to do it - the houses are open for 10 mins at a time, and they cancel the opens without any prior notice, or they don't have them planned and you can't just get the keys anymore for some stupid reason to look at it.
It is just ridiculous. They know the circumstances, what if I DIDN'T have anyone who could look? I asked about a stat dec and got laughed at...so worried about covering their arses.
I would look for a private rental and save the RE bull****, but I have no idea how to go about that with not seeing even photos of the house like I can online.

Thanks Emma :) Just seems like every step I take reveals yet another bloody mountain I have to climb over when it just simply shouldn't be this hard.

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Oh don't get me started on the changing times without notice or not even showing up! RE are shocking to deal with nowadays.

Climbing all these mountains are helping you see the strength that lives within you, remember that strength when you feel like you have none....
Could you start a thread asking for help to look at houses??

I agree the hoops they make you jump through sucks.

Some places on Domain are private you can generally tell due to the contact details. Also if you see a private rental advertised, I would just ask for more photos - these days most people have the capability to put photos up or email you them (do a walking tour of the place on their Iphone etc) and I definitely think private would be more open to your situation. The RE have to do things a certain way and there is no incentive for them to bend the rules because there are so many people wanting rentals. (We struggled due to no Aus rental history, our first flat we got through an advertisement in Domain direct from landlady - we saw the place and to be honest we got it because she was racist and preferred the idea of two Brits to other nationalities) I know my cousin sorted out a rental online prior to getting here when she moved out from UK, she had never seen the place either.

Stupid isn't it..and the sucky thing is they can do whatever they want because there is so much competition for rentals!
We have a real estate here that will only let you view a property if you've filled out an application and been approved by the landlord! Crazy! I'm not going to fill out a 5 or 6 page or longer application, along with putting together references and ID etc for a property I might not even want to live in once I've seen it! I could maybe understand if we lived in a large city where rentals are in high demand and there are heaps of applicants, but we live in a small country town and there isn't all that much competition..

Hope you can get a place without too much stress involved xx

Sorry, can't help much, aside from highly recommending you contact dhs, and apply for a bond loan. It wws the only way we could get here. You don't have to pay them back, the bond is returned to them at the end of the tenancy. Sorry I can't do much, I would look at hoises round here if you needed.

Good luck, xxx

I know your pain. I was in the same boat last year and was struggling, but we were able to rent through a lovely private landlord. All the agents I contacted were happy to take an online application as long as we had someone inspect it so we couldn't turn around and say it isn't what we expected.

Seriously consider private rentals.

ls
Hi
This has happened to us twice now. Ring around and try different real estates until you find someone that will let you sign a waiver to rent without viewing... you can do it .. we have twice due to distance and no contacts.

I made sure I had my stuff read, rental recipets, references lined up, even letters from real estates, property managers. Have yourself set up with PDF files to email a t the drop of a hat. Ask them to speak to the landlord ad
Be polite and kind on the phone, don't freak out, send them a photo of you and the kids.

This is difficult but it has been done it is a matter of finding a property manager that cares and a lot of ringing wround.
6 months is standard for new leases now. Then they will ket you sign a 12. Let them know this is fine as you are agreeing to ake it without viewing. Don't wrgue they will put you in the too hard basket.

Good luck and honestly have all your personal info ready to email even on the phone so you aren't just an enquiry they can relste to you as a person.

Gl

Thanks everyone. This whole situation is really frustrating - I am feeling very drained, helpless and quite overwhelmed. The emotional aspects are really hitting home this week and challenging practical situations are just making it worse.

That is some great advice PP, I think I will do that. I'm on the lookout now for some private rentals and will get together some references and things to lobby the real estate agents directly.

We don't have any money at the moment, and saving it is just so slow going, and it is going to cost thousands to move, the ability to offer the bulk rent upfront is just seeming impossible, so hopefully I can find a sympathetic and helpful RE and landlord.

LS have you considered not taking any furniture with you but buying it when you get to where you want to live?? That could save you $$$. If you just had to move you and the kids and no bits so to speak. I don't mean the kids favourite toys and stuff like that but the big stuff. Buying 2nd hand really isn't that exxie and you get to start out again with stuff that has no memories iykwim.

I really hope you get a place soon and can have some stability back. Hugs hun

PS another site to look at is realestate.com.au

Would you be interested in the outer east of melbourne?

PM me if this is an option

Freecycle is great for furniture! We've scored heaps for both our place and fully furnished a two bed granny flat solely with Freecycle. It's all been in very good condition too.

Might be an option to save moving $$?

I'd probably sell the furniture too and organise more after you move. Like Jennifer said freecycle is good or I'm sure you'd be able to pick up some things cheaply elsewhere at garage sales/salvos etc.

Where are you wanting to move to? PM me if you are interested in Frankston, might be able to help.