Looking through rental listings...

Just a few quick questions.

When you email the land agents/owners is it advisable to go into too much detail or just a simple ' Is this listing still available and would we be able to arrange a time to view' suffice enough?

I mean, when Lucas & I turn up on our own to view a place, our situation will obviously speak for itself ...I'm so paranoid about mentioning that I'm a solo mum, I feel like if I do so to start off with I won't be given the chance to even look at the place!

How does the whole process work, say you view it & you like it ...then what?

My parents have wrapped me up in cotton wool for so long I am unaware of how these things work so please excuse my ignorance.

Any advice and tips on what to look for, how it all works and what I can do to increase my chances of making a good impression (I know a good start would be NOT letting Lucas run around and tear the place apart when first viewing it lol) would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Oh and while I remember, question for Aucklanders ...what is the usual going rate for a 2 bdroom and a 3 bdroom place?

I agree, the solo mum thing shouldn't be a big deal but some landlords are funny about toddlers coz of the mess they can make.

Cost depends on what part of Auck you live in but as an idea, I paid $250 for a 2 brm flat in Mt Albert, $320 for a 3 brm house in Avondale and now we pay $400 for a 4 brm in Hillsborough. The 2brm unit downstairs is $270 and the 1 brm flats at the back are $250.

I thought aukland was really expensive Sounds cheaper than wellington

i actually found lots of people keen on us with kids - less likely to be able to leave in a hurry!

I would mention you have a toddler - just so they show you suitable (i.e. fenced) places.

I ended up emailing for the house I'm really interested in, ran my little introduction/exerpt past Jo first (thanks for your opinion darl ) and just took the leap and sent it! Talk about nerve racking...

I fell in love instantly, was too good to let it go by so have decided that IF (very big if as I'm sure lots of others have taken an interest too) we do get it, and I like the place etc etc then I will take it as a sign that its meant to be. If not, I won't be disheartened but I will put off the idea of moving for a couple more months like my Dad would prefer.

Some potential landlords are quite sympathetic so as long as your able to pay the rent and it not be detrimental to you in any way then you'll be fine. The home I'm living in at the moment I got by placing an ad and my landlord emailed me and pretty much gave the place straight away without meeting or talking on the phone or anything! I don't think they come much better then them though...they're awesome. But yea I explained my situation in my ad and though I'm not a solo parent we still only have one income. So I don't think you should be discriminated against because your a solo parent, that doesn't determine the trustworthiness of a person. Gosh I know a family (the inlaws....) who bring in around $80,000 a year and yet they get thousands of dollars behind in rent..have been served eviction notices...and now have to move because the LL wants their house back, yet my partner brings in $40,000 and has never missed a payment and our rents differ by $25.

Ive house hunted quite a few times the last time Issy was about three months old as who knew they took up so much space!

I have found that in most situations its always better to call than email ... especially if really keen on a property, especially as rentals tend to get snapped up so quickly!

That price sounds awesome! We pay $500.00 for a three bedroom in Parnell and we were paying $380.00 for a two bedroom in Epsom/Mt Eden.

Steph - as a landlord we look at everyone...however we do define how many adults and kids will live at the properties....eg a lot of mums on DPB out this way will combine a property to get in a good school zone etc...we do not want three mums and five kids etc in a 4 beddie....and believe me it does happen! so my advice is specify at start if you need to rent out a room or take a boarder....

we rent out a 2 beddie for $360 and a four beddie for $580....a lot cheaper than some peoples mortgages to our tenants....