How to find a short-term rental in Melbourne?

Hi folks,

I've just returned to Melbourne with my wife after a year living overseas. We own a house here (purchased in April 2016) but it's leased out until the end of June, so we need a place to stay until then, after which point we'll move into the house for six months or so to establish it as a PPOR for tax purposes. Do you have any recommendations on the best way to find short-term rentals in Melbourne?

We are open to both furnished and unfurnished rentals, though furnished might be better. It's just the two of us, so apartments, townhouses, and small houses are all options.

We are particularly interested in accommodation around Parkville, Princes Hill, Carlton North, Carlton, East Melbourne, Brunswick, Brunswick East, and Fitzroy / Fitzroy North. Closer to Parkville, Princes Hill, Carlton North, and Carlton is better.

Thanks in advance for your help.

- FFTB

 

@Lil Skater might have something?

 

Short term rentals are going to be furnished. I reckon every furnished property in Sydney is on either Airbnb or Gumtree. Melbourne would be the same I suspect.
Scott

 

Houses flagged for demo. Expired leases/vacant but building won't start until easter or beyond.

Have a chat to the sales agents (not the pm) to see if the developer would be interested.

The pm may have a few ex rentals earmarked for a new house too.

 

Did you send me an enquiry earlier? Tenant asking almost the identical thing!

Unfortunately I don't do short term (only 6 months or more), but do have furnished properties.

Try MICM - they have a lot of places and from memory also do short term. Can't speak for their service though (sorry).

 

Hi Lil Skater - I don't think I sent you an inquiry, unless you work for one of the big real estate agencies in Melbourne. Please do keep me in mind if you see anything that might suit.

 

Not me, I run my own. It was just weird to read nearly the same thing twice

Will send you a PM if I hear/know of anything.

 

Dear Fortune. Suggest also trying Airbnb like @Depreciator mentioned. Occasionally (if you are lucky) you can find listings looking for people to stay longer than usual for a reasonable price.

 

Hey gang, I've had absolutely no luck whatsoever thus far. Any other ideas?

 

House sitting?

Aussie House Sitters

House Sitting Australia | House & Pet Minding | HappyHouseSitters

House Sitting in Melbourne, Australia - TrustedHousesitters.com

 

Great idea. I'll check that out.

 

Have you tried approaching your tenants in case they are prepared to move earlier?

Even if you had to pay relocation or other costs it may well be worthwhile to you.

You never know....
Marg

 

Hi Marg, I haven't tried that. That's a smart idea. I'll give it a try. Thank you.

 

Also try sorting listings oldest to newest on REA/Domain. You might have more negotiating power.

 

E

Excellent idea!

 

Recently came across a facebook group called Fairy Floss Real Estate that lists people looking for short term tenants. By the way I'm in no way connected to it

 

I'd think with the recent flood of apartments coming online in melbourne it would be easy to get a short term rental, especially on Airbnb

 

Yes, one would think so. So far, however, all of my inquiries have been rebuffed with answers of "six months minimum". I'll keep trying.

 

Do you have any asian friends? Get them to help you find a place here or if you are game u can try yourself. Prices / suburbs and mobile are all in english. ad descriptions are in english too. Just select your price range and melbourne and you're good to go. That's how chinese are able to property manage their homes without paying any overhead to PMs or AirBnB, underbelly of aussie housing market.
澳洲新闻网 - 租房 Rental listing

Its a chinese website covering whole of australia. Properties are often owner occupied as well. Usually rooms come with all utilities included and they only require 2weeks bond and 2 week rent paid upfront and of course 2 weeks notice to vacate. No formal lease. But check them out before you rent, some places can be pretty good whilst others could be like share-houses.

If its just you and wife with not much baggage then should be ok.

Another Creative option would be to get a campervan or car + tow trailer , and have a nice long holiday around australia until your tenants move out LOL.

Staying in a cheap BnB couple hours out of town/regional could be another option. Depends how long you have to wait till you can move back into PPOR