As house prices are astronomical and interest rates are starting to rise, it’s little wonder so many homeowner hopefuls are choosing to stay put as tenants in their existing rentals.

But while renting has major benefits, what I’m hearing from a number of you (and know from personal experience) is that renting can actually be super stressful. Why though?

Ultimately, you’re borrowing someone else’s most valuable asset, and with this comes a really long list of responsibilities, including regular inspections to ensure the home is in tip top shape, and reporting any or all flaws for landlord assessment.

And let’s be honest, dealing with rental agencies as a tenant isn’t the most enjoyable experience! In fact, most of the time it sucks (to call a spade a spade).

So after listening to some of your rental stories and hearing all about the worries that keep you up at night, here are four simple tips to help unburden you of the stress of renting.

1. Recurring and advance payments

One of the easiest ways to minimise stress as a tenant is to set up a recurring payment system: whether that be paying rent every week, fortnight or month so that you don’t have to worry about accidentally chipping into your rent funds.

If you’re financially able to do so, try to pay a few weeks in advance early on in your tenancy so that if you find yourself under financial strain at a later date, you give yourself some leeway to get back on top of your work, bank accounts, savings, bills – whatever the case may be, without panicking about being able to cover the rent.

2. Complete your property condition report accurately

Tenants lodging a complaint at the end of a tenancy to dispute a fee charged for damage to the property is more common than you know, and often it comes down to one thing: failure to complete the in-going condition report thoroughly.

“Who’s got time to look at every nook and cranny in the house?!” is a sentiment I see a lot. In short: make time.

Disputes over the condition of a property at the end of a lease can be avoided if tenants take the time to complete the report with 100% accuracy.

Unfortunately, as up to 60% of tenants fail to do this, they open themselves up to receiving the blame for the flaws that weren’t reported on Day One when they do decide to move out. A stitch in time saves nine as my nana used to say…

3. Hire an end-of-lease cleaner

Ever stopped to look at the property you’re renting objectively, and suddenly found yourself stressing about the end-of-lease clean?

For families with small children, this kind of stress can be overwhelming. Who has time to scrub floorboards regularly, steam clean carpets often, wipe down all the walls and ceilings, and mop the floors while caring for a family, holding down a full-time job, or simply just staying on top of everyday life?! 

Even if you’re child-free, part of a hardworking couple, or a single who’s ready to mingle, the end-of-lease clean is one majorly time-consuming task that is best left to the professionals.

If your finances allow, speak to your existing estate agency to organise a visit from their recommended cleaner, and go from there. The best part about this is that if the job isn’t completed to the agency’s satisfaction, they will demand the cleaner return – with no extra charge to you.

4. Know who to contact

When you sign the lease agreement, clarify with the agent who to contact and how should you need assistance in the future.

Whether it’s a request for maintenance, a copy of your ledger, or just a general query, it is important to know who you can call or email to have your demand sorted efficiently.

Many of the larger real estate businesses will include an emergency contact sheet in your new tenant package, which explains in clear terms who to contact for that second garbage bin, emergency plumbing task, or to seek your landlord’s permission to place a photo frame on the wall.

So there you have it! Four simple yet super important tips to reduce the weight on your shoulders as a tenant.