What's the deal with renting and pets?

[piccolo]

Thanks ali, will mention it to them. I'm feeling a bit daunted by the prospect of finding the right house for us!

[jackboots]

When we came out we trusted our relatives to get us a rental .. which they did a lovely 3x1 in kalamunda they used their names as gaurantors and we paid them up when we got here and signed and did all the paperwork .. we were lucky :)

[Druid]

oh my God guys.....it sounds like a nightmare trying to deal with agents and secure a rental, even without pets!! We won't have references as we own our home here in Ireland and will be newly landed in Perth when we start looking. That looks like it means we will have a nightmare?!
be
We have relatives living in joondanna already, is there anything they could be doing for us while we await a visa?

Piccolo - You will get one, just allow yourself time, dont expect to come over and secure a rental in the first week, give youself 3-4 weeks min, there is a definate procedure you have to follow otherwise the agents seem to ignore you, 1.) Research a house in REIWA etc, 2.) Call the agent to arrange a viewing, but dont expect a call back with a viewing date and time, some agents text you the viewing date and time, this is non negotiable, if you want to view, you be there, they are only viewing for 15-20 mins so dont be late, if you dont hear from agents then watch the advert in the internet, when the agent feels she has enough clients, she will post the viewing date and time on the internet. 3.) Go to to the viewing (you and 20 others), if you are interested get the application form from the agent at the viewing, some write your name down some dont, fill in the application and submit within 3 days or so, support your application with as much information and copies as you can, we took someone elses advice from this forum and did an introductory letter introducing ourselves and explaining our circumstances, this seem to help, we also included bank statements, mortgage statements etc from the UK. 4.) PAY the OPTION FEE, which is 1 weeks rent, if you get the house the money goes toward the rent, if you dont get the house, you get the money back, if you get the house but decide NOT to take it, you lose the money, cash only, no cheques, Sit and wait for 5 days or so. 5.) If you dont get it, start all over again.

At one point we were $1500 bucks out of pocket waiting for replies from agents after submitting applications and option fees.

Good luck, its a painfull frustrating process, you will have to pay the dog bond and the rental bond and another weeks rent in advance, that came to $3000.00 for us