How to Research a Rental Property Before You Apply

RenterSay lets you search any Australian rental property by address to see anonymous reviews from previous tenants. These reviews cover property condition, maintenance responsiveness, communication, and the move-out and bond experience.

A property with multiple reviews reporting ignored repairs, disputed bonds, or mould is giving you real information you would not otherwise have. A property with consistently positive reviews tells you something too.

To use RenterSay, simply enter the full property address in the search bar. You can search before an inspection, before submitting an application, or even after receiving an offer — the goal is to go in with as much information as possible.

Beyond RenterSay, a few minutes of web searching can reveal useful information:

• Google the address: Tribunal records for some states appear in public search results. An NCAT or VCAT decision involving the property address can reveal past disputes.
• Check auction history: Sites like propertyvalue.com.au or domain.com.au show sale and rental history. A property that has been frequently re-let might indicate high tenant turnover.
• Strata records: For apartment buildings, you can request an extract of owners corporation minutes from the body corporate manager before signing. This can reveal known building defects, ongoing disputes, or levies that affect residents.
• Council records: Some serious building defects or safety issues appear in council records — though accessing these can be time-consuming.

The inspection is your only chance to assess the property in person before signing. Do not let it become a passive walkthrough.

Look for:

Ask the agent:

Agents are not required to volunteer negative information, but most will not actively lie if asked directly.

• Water stains on ceilings or walls (past or current leaks)
• Mould in bathrooms, wardrobes, or on window sills
• Evidence of dampness (musty smell, lifting paint, soft flooring)
• Condition of appliances (test the oven, stovetop, dishwasher)
• Functionality of all taps, toilets, and showerheads
• Window and door seals (draughts indicate poor insulation)
• Visible cracks or structural concerns
• Condition of floors and walls (scratches, holes, staining)
• Are there any known maintenance issues or pending repairs?
• How long was the property vacant before listing?
• Why did the previous tenant leave?
• When were appliances last serviced?

The quality of your tenancy is strongly influenced by how the landlord or their property manager operates. Without asking for any personal identifying information (which is not appropriate), you can still get a sense of how the property is managed:

RenterSay reviews are specifically designed to give you this kind of insight from people who have already lived there.

• Is the property managed directly by the owner or through an agency? Direct owner management means all communication goes through one person; agency management adds a layer but usually means more process.
• What is the typical response time for maintenance requests? (An agent who gives a vague or dismissive answer here is telling you something.)
• Has the property ever had mould issues, and if so, how were they resolved?

The property is important, but so is where it sits:

A great property in a location that does not work for your life will create ongoing stress. Spend as much time evaluating the neighbourhood as you do the property.

• Walk or drive through the street at different times of day — is it as appealing at night as it looks in daytime listing photos?
• Check Google Maps for nearby amenities, public transport, and any features that matter to you (schools, shops, parks)
• Check the suburb crime statistics via your state police website
• Ask locals — cafes, parks, and community Facebook groups can give you a feel for the area that listing photos will never show