Not sure if i'm missing out on some sort of credit history potential etc or something like that which needs to be done upon my moving in? What are the bare minimums I should be signing/doing etc?
I'm about to move into a flat with 2 other people but they don't want bond or any paperwork - is this ok?
LTurtlegasm on 28/03/2017 - 22:34
Comments
If you do this, try to pay by transferring to a bank account at an absolute minimum so you have some kind of evidence of a financial relationship. Email communications confirming the arrangement etc would be ideal too.
Just explain you want to be able to demonstrate a strong rental history etc in the future.
I wouldn't pay in advance (no more than what you're willing to lose if they ever decide they want you out). Trust your instincts too- if something doesn't feel right, walk away.
I wouldn't worry about the credit rating side, nobody will ever care about your rental history in a shared house, but having good records of the rent you pay is important if you ever get unfairly evicted. Even without a written lease you have rights as a tenant, and proof of the rent you paid is the easiest way to prove your eligibility for those rights.
If I want to buy a house some day don't I need writing somewhere signed by everybody saying i've rented before? Can't they kick me to the kerb whenever they like if i don't sign something?
Oh sure if you're looking to build references and have evidence of previous rental arrangements you might want to organize some paperwork.
No reason to be worried about getting kicked to the curb - then you just don't pay the last month's rent that you owed.
Yes, I am pretty sure that if they want they could wake up one day and say get out now and there wouldn't be much you could do since there is nothing on paper.
If your a likable person and pay rent on time it probably won't happen but you could familiarise yourself with some cheap accommodation nearby which is available on short notice just in case (motel).
Nobody will care in the least about your rental history, except future landlords/managing agents. It has zero impact on mortgages.
You have some rights without a written lease, including rights about notice of eviction. In theory, nobody can 'kick you to the curb' without 90 days notice if you are outside of a fixed lease period, but as the other tenants might be operating under a fixed lease, just leaving you off it, and they might have different arrangements with the landlord, it is impossible to give you a definite answer.Suffice to say, if they ever try and kick you out with unreasonably short notice, you can likely appeal to the AAT or VCAT or your local tribunal to get some help if you can demonstrate you were paying rent.
If I want to buy a house some day don't I need writing somewhere signed by everybody saying i've rented before?
The first time I've heard. Sellers don't give a crap as long as you got the finance. Banks only care whether you can afford the mortgage.
My only concern is that since there is nothing on paper and no bond, they can basically kick you out as and when they feel like it. So there is also no protection for you. It goes both ways.
I've been removed from a house by police after refusing to leave in exactly your situation. I wouldn't recommend it.
What was the cause of this??
Cool thanks for help guys
Might be worth doing your due diligence and consider why the landlord wouldn't want a bond or paperwork.
The most likely reason is they are trying to avoid declaring income. Not sure of any other reasons.
If I was in your situation, I would document everything, keep emails etc. Actually in a very friendly way, I would ask them the question "why don't you want a bond? Would you prefer this rent money to remain off the books? :)" If things go pear shaped, you have leverage then. If they want to do wrong by you, kindly remind them you have emails where they have declared they are intentionally avoiding declaring the income and you're happy to share it with the ATO.
Lets hope it never gets to that but its nice to have the ace up your sleeve.
if you got a hot landlord I say go for it
Without any paperwork, how do you confirm if the person you are dealing with is the actual landlord? While it's better for you not to commit to a bond, if found also work against you if the landlord decided to take back the unit with short notice
A few possibilities
- the landlord doesn't know they are subletting to an extra person
- they want to be able to kick you out easily if things don't work out or they don't like you
- they are laid back / easygoing people with a innate trust of their fellow humans, and just can't be bothered with paperwork etcFlexibility works both ways
It wouldn't really concern me.
Just make sure you pay the rent and bills by bank transfer and keep an email trail. .
If they don't want you to pay a bond that can only work in your favour, just roll with it.