Accommodation
Melbourne is a fairly big city of some 4 million people with suburbs more than 30 kilometres from the city centre.
And accommodation for students particularly in the city centre and around universities is in high demand.
The first place you should make enquiries is your school, college or university. Most will have some sort of housing service, and can arrange for airport reception and temporary accommodation. A month’s homestay or student accommodation is ideal if you need to look for something more permanent.
Check out the Live in Victoria website for details on different areas of Melbourne and Victoria.
www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/living-in-victoria/melbourne-and-regional-victoria
Accommodation Options
Home Stay
Students under 18 are usually required to be live with a local family. If you’re over 18, homestays are still a great way to get to know your new community and culture, and improve your English.
Your institution may run a homestay service, or through an agency.
There are many websites that have listings, and they can be found through searching for “homestays Melbourne”.
However, many websites are just a free listing service, and do not inspect the accommodation or interview the host family.
A homestay service should include:
• A student’s own bedroom, including a bed, desk, lamp and wardrobe.
• Three meals a day (self-serve breakfast and lunch, and a cooked dinner)
• Electricity, gas and water bills
• Involvement in family activities
• Usually does not include phone and internet use
• Cost is anywhere from $200-$300 a week.
• A written set of guidelines or obligations for both the host family and the student
Boarding Schools
Many independent schools provide on-campus accommodation for international school students.
Cost: $9,000 to $22,000 per year (does not include school fees)
Visit www.boardingschools.com.au or www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au for more details.
Hostels and Guesthouses
Students share bathroom, kitchen and laundry. Meals not included.
Cost: From $150 per week.
University Accommodation
Most universities offer accommodation on campus or nearby. Some residential colleges/apartments are self-catering; others include meals. Cost: $140 to $540 per week.
Share accommodation
Many students get together with other students to rent a flat or a house.
Accommodation rented in this way is usually not furnished.
You will usually need to sign a lease for 6-12 months, and connect utilities (gas, water, electricity).
Or you may join an existing share household.
Cost: $80 to $350 per week per person.
It is not practical to arrange share accommodation before you arrive.
Where to look
Many institutions have a housing service that can help you find accommodation on or off campus.
You can also try websites such as www.domain.com.au, www.realestate.com.au, and www.flatmatefinders.com.au for share accommodation.
The Monash University website has a good explanation of common abbreviations used in advertisements.
www.mrs.monash.edu.au/off-campus-accommodation/glossary-rental-abbreviations.html
Most real estate agents have rental lists you can pick up from their offices or download from the internet. This is a good option if you get together with friends to rent a house or flat on your own. Make sure you respond quickly!
Questions to ask
You probably won’t know where every suburb is, so check Google maps and try asking:
How far is the accommodation from the city, or your educational institution?
Is it in public transport zone 1 or 2? Which train line is it on or near?
How far is it to the bus, tram or train?
Is it within walking distance of supermarkets, etc?
How much is the bond?
If it’s a share household, is there a “kitty” for items such as milk, toilet paper and cleaning products? Is food shared or does everyone buy their own?
And how are domestic tasks like cleaning allocated – or does everyone put in money for a cleaner?
Documentation
When applying for accommodation, a range of documentation is required but not limited to:
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your financial records (such as bank statements) proving your ability to pay
• Copies of any character references
• Copies of any rental history and references from previous landlords
When you sign
You will usually need to pay a month’s rent in advance, plus a bond of the same amount again.
If you are signing a lease, it is very important to complete a condition report as soon as possible, so you and your landlord are clear about any problems in the property before you moved in.
Read your contract carefully to make sure you know for example, how much notice you need to give before vacating. Breaking a lease (ending it early) can be costly.
You should also consider taking out house and contents insurance, to protect valuables such as computers in case of fire, theft or other loss.
Rights and responsibilities
Your landlord or real estate agent is legally required to give all renters a copy of the booklet, Tenants: Your Rights and Responsibilities.
This covers questions such as who pays if your hot water system breaks down, or your roof leaks, what a landlord is allowed to deduct from your bond, etc.
If you have a disagreement with your landlord or housemates, the Tenants Union of Victoria can give you advice and information. Disputes can occur over things like repairs, rent increases, your bond, or breaking a lease. They can be contacted on (03) 9416 2577.
Council services
You can quickly find out which local government area you are living in by looking in the front section of the White Pages (telephone directory).
It is well worth familiarising yourself with what your council offers: library services, entertainment in local parks, and even short courses.
Most municipalities have weekly rubbish and recycling collections. Make sure you sort your waste (milk cartons, bottles and newspapers can all be recycled, usually in a yellow bin).
Hard rubbish/ large items and electronics
Some charities will take fridges (Brotherhood of St Laurence) old computers (Computerbank) and even mobile phones, for recycling. Call your local council for details or visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au
Bills
Victoria has dozens of private companies providing essential services, and it can be confusing to choose the best one for your needs.
The Australian Consumers Association has an online tool to compare providers of gas, electricity, home phone and broadband services. www.choiceswitch.com.au
Read contracts carefully. Be wary of door-to-door salespeople offering great deals if you switch providers immediately – your existing provider may penalise you. Always ask salespeople if they can leave you some written information.
When you move out, it’s your responsibility to notify electricity, telephone water and gas companies. Otherwise, you may still get bills.
