Housing

Before you pay anyone anything

• See the room and meet the people before any money moves. No bond for a place you haven't stood in.
• Bond is at most 4 weeks rent, and in Queensland it must be lodged with the RTA, not kept by the landlord. Ask for the lodgement number.
• Nobody holds your passport. Not for a key, not for bond, not for anything.
• "Cheap rent, girls only, house rules apply" from an older bloke living alone is a known pattern. Bring a mate to look, and trust the feeling.
• Get the price, what's included and the notice period in writing, even a text message counts.
• In Queensland rent in advance is capped at 2 weeks on a periodic agreement and 1 month on a fixed term. Asking for more is not allowed.
• Never pay a deposit to hold a room you haven't seen. That's how most rental scams work.