Latest news with #Renters
News.com.au
6 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Rental inspection checklist: How to spot red flags in 15 minutes
When it comes to securing a rental, time is of the essence. Most properties only come up for inspection once – and most agencies only allow a 15 minute window for prospective renters to walk through the property before they apply. So how can you get the most out of each inspection to ensure the properties you apply for are the right ones for you while also being in good condition? CHECK THE LIVING STANDARDS It's important to watch out for the three Ds when inspecting a rental – dirty, damp and dark, says The Rent Fairy founder and director Sarah Elkordi. 'If you've got a dirty, damp and dark property, the fourth D will be depression,' she says. South-facing properties that get very little sunlight and poorly maintained properties with damage from water leakage should be avoided as they can be breeding grounds for mould. Good ventilation is also important, including whether or not there are flyscreens on the windows, she says. 'It is also very important to check that you have enough pressure in the taps, so turning on the shower, turning on the taps and flushing the toilets,' she says. Security is another crucial thing to check, including whether or not there is a working intercom for apartments and whether all locks and latches are in good working order. Wild way Aussie scored home for just $4000 The Rental Specialists principal Jo Natoli says renters should make sure the lights are working and that water runs freely down the drains when you turn on the taps. 'Make sure there's no terrible smells around,' she says. 'Have a look at the paintwork. The paintwork can usually give a bit of an indication if there are any water ingress problems.' MEASURING UP Ever moved into a home and realised your fridge doesn't fit in the fridge space? This can be easily solved by measuring your fridge ahead of time and taking a small measuring tape with you to each inspection, says Natoli. In fact, you could do the same with your lounge and washing machine, she says. Sydney Rental Search director Marcelle Wever says you can even get an app that measures fridge spaces. And while you've got your phone out, open up your compass app too. 'With the main windows in the property, do always take a compass reading,' she says. 'Just so you know which way the windows are facing. That's so important so you don't get those issues with mould.' Another thing Wever recommends checking is the size of the garage. This is particularly important for old houses that were built long before modern SUVs were designed. Another thing you might want to check while you are in the property, says Elkordi, is phone coverage. 'You could go into a property that is actually a black spot and end up with no phone reception,' she says. QUESTIONS TO ASK Natoli recommends renters try to avoid being hemmed into a 15 minute open by arranging a private inspection ahead of time. Not only does this give you more time to view the property without battling the crowd, it also provides an opportunity to build a rapport with the agent. She says it's also useful to ask about the long term plans of the owner in case they are planning to sell up or move in within the not too distant future. TIPS FOR A STREAMLINED INSPECTION Once you know what you're looking for, it helps to be as efficient as possible in the 15 minutes you have. Here are three tips from the experts on how you can streamline the inspection process. 1. The seven minute rule – Sarah Elkordi suggests breaking your timeslot into seven minute intervals: one to check if the property meets your needs and the other to assess for cleanliness and working order 2. Take a video – This gives you something to refer back to and helps you remember each property more accurately – just make sure you seek permission first, says Marcelle Wever 3. Ask for a virtual tour first – Since not all agencies let you take videos, ask if they can provide a video or virtual tour first, says Jo Natoli. That way, you can decide if it's worth checking out in person
CNET
12-08-2025
- Automotive
- CNET
5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying a Portable Air Conditioner, From Someone Who Has
Portable air conditioners have a lot going for them. They're renter-friendly, easy to install, and perfect for cooling stubborn hot spots. They also shine in spaces where narrow windows can't fit a traditional unit. I've had mine for a year, and it's easily one of the best upgrades for my sweltering home office—keeping me cool, comfortable, and productive no matter how high the temperature climbs. As with window units and other air conditioners, you'll need to find the sweet spot between a comfortable temperature and energy efficiency, so your electricity bills won't skyrocket. Plus, regular cleaning can extend the machine's lifespan. For this article, I'm focusing on a few things that might come up when buying, transporting and setting up a portable air conditioner. Buying a new portable AC unit 1. Make sure it fits Before buying a portable air conditioner, remember to check that the included window kit works for your window -- vertical or horizontal -- and fits in your window. This shouldn't be an issue for most brands but it's worth double-checking. While some dual-hose models use separate hoses, my Midea Duo puts the exhaust hose inside the intake for extra insulation. John Carlsen/CNET 2. Get a dual-hose model if you can Portable AC units must circulate outside air over their condenser coils to remove heat from inside your home. In an ideal situation, an intake hose pulls cooler outdoor air in while a separate exhaust hose expels the heated air back outside. Unfortunately, many cheaper portable air conditioners combine the intake and exhaust into a single hose, which reduces the cooling power compared to pricier dual-hose models like the Midea Duo. If you can afford it, I suggest getting a dual-hose model. However, if you go for a single-hose model or a dual-hose unit with separate hoses, consider getting a portable AC hose insulation sleeve to prevent the exhaust hose from heating your room on the way to the window. By keeping the hot air in the hose, your AC shouldn't have to work as hard. Even a small portable air conditioner unit can be very heavy -- mine's on the larger end -- so you may need a second person to help you lift it. John Carlsen/CNET 3. Don't store it on its side Most portable AC units are bulky so it's tempting to shove them sideways in the back seat of your sedan on the way home from the store. Unfortunately, it's best to keep the portable unit in the upright position. This prevents oil from leaking out of the compressor into the rest of the closed cooling system -- the system is sealed to keep the gaseous refrigerant in. While this misplaced oil won't prevent the AC unit from running, it can make the machine louder and cut the AC's lifespan. If possible, borrow a friend's truck or have the retailer deliver the unit directly to your home so it stays upright. If you have to put the unit on its side, it's best to let it rest upright for 24 hours to help the oil return to the right spot before running it. Portable air conditioners need to be near a window, so it's best to rearrange your furniture so you can install it correctly. John Carlsen/CNET In my case, I have a shelf under the window that was more trouble to move than it was worth. To make my hose reach the window, I had to elevate my Midea Duo on a couple of cinderblocks topped with wood and spare carpet (to keep the wheels from rolling off the platform). 4. If you buy a used portable AC unit, be prepared to problem-solve If you're on a budget, a used portable AC unit is worth considering. I picked up my refurbished Midea Duo for $130 -- well below the $480 list price -- from a local liquidator. Still, it wasn't as smooth an experience as I hoped. Double-checking the model number when buying used appliances can help you get the features you want. John Carlsen/CNET 5. Splurge on a heat pump model for additional warmth in winter I spent hours finding the perfect model for my needs, which also happens to be CNET's current high-end pick -- Midea Duo MAP14HS1TBL -- a heat pump unit that could heat my poorly-insulated office in the winter if needed. But when I found my portable AC unit online, I didn't notice that it was a Costco variant (MAP14AS1TWT-C) without the heating function. I got over my blunder pretty quickly, but it was disappointing at the beginning. While my seller included a window kit with the unit, it was for a window air conditioner, not my AC. John Carlsen/CNET I tried in vain to track down a replacement window kit online and had no luck because the brand doesn't sell them. (I found a similar one from Danby that might work but I'm holding off for now.) Instead, I spent a few hours cobbling together a window kit from some foam insulation, spare wood and other materials I had lying around. It's worked well but my placement options are limited and I could have saved a lot of time with the right window kit. Likewise, my portable unit didn't come with a remote control, which I've yet to replace. Fortunately, my machine is a Matter-enabled smart air conditioner that doesn't need a remote to access the advanced features. Still, remotes are worth keeping in mind if you want to control your room air conditioner remotely. What's my takeaway? While buying a refurbished portable air conditioner worked out OK, there were several hoops to jump through that may not make the savings worth it for others. Are portable air conditioners worth it? A portable AC is the only option if you have narrow windows like mine, which won't fit a window unit. John Carlsen/CNET Although the design of portable air conditioners holds them back from matching the energy efficiency of a good central or window AC unit, they can be great for supplemental cooling in a hotspot in your home. They're also great for renters because you rarely need to install any window kit hardware with screws.
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing inflation is easing, but it's still the biggest factor driving prices higher
Housing costs aren't rising as fast as they once were, but they're still the biggest factor pushing prices higher for both owners and renters. Shelter costs, which include spending on rent and hotels, rose 0.2% in July and were the primary factor in the 0.2% uptick in inflation across all goods and services, according to Consumer Price Index data released Tuesday. Rent and owner's equivalent rent, which estimates how much a homeowner would pay to rent an equivalent property, each jumped 0.3% last month from June. Lodging away from home, which includes spending on things like hotels, dropped 1% — one of the few major categories to see a decline. Sign up for the Mind Your Money weekly newsletter By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy All in, shelter costs rose 3.7% in the last year. The rate of housing inflation is decelerating — July's annual increase was the smallest jump since October 2021 — but continues to be hotter than broad inflation. Across all items, prices were up 2.7% annually and 3.1% after stripping out volatile food and energy costs. 'While July's inflation data shows continued moderation in shelter costs, the tariff story may be starting to shift. Indexes for home furnishings and used cars increased, hinting that consumers may be starting to feel the effect of tariffs,' Senior Economist Jake Krimmel said in a statement. Learn more: What Trump's tariffs mean for your money Home price appreciation and rent hikes have both generally eased this year as the home sales market remains mired in a deep slump, and robust apartment construction has added new supply in many cities. Even so, many homebuyers and renters remain stretched at today's prices. On average, rents today are about 30% higher than they were five years ago, and mortgage rates around 6.6%, coupled with home prices near all-time highs, are keeping many would-be homebuyers shut out of the market. Read more: How to buy a house in 2025 Claire Boston is a Senior Reporter for Yahoo Finance covering housing, mortgages, and home insurance. Sign up for the Mind Your Money newsletter
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing inflation is easing, but it's still the biggest factor driving prices higher
Housing costs aren't rising as fast as they once were, but they're still the biggest factor pushing prices higher for both owners and renters. Shelter costs, which include spending on rent and hotels, rose 0.2% in July and were the primary factor in the 0.2% uptick in inflation across all goods and services, according to Consumer Price Index data released Tuesday. Rent and owner's equivalent rent, which estimates how much a homeowner would pay to rent an equivalent property, each jumped 0.3% last month from June. Lodging away from home, which includes spending on things like hotels, dropped 1% — one of the few major categories to see a decline. Sign up for the Mind Your Money weekly newsletter By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy All in, shelter costs rose 3.7% in the last year. The rate of housing inflation is decelerating — July's annual increase was the smallest jump since October 2021 — but continues to be hotter than broad inflation. Across all items, prices were up 2.7% annually and 3.1% after stripping out volatile food and energy costs. Shop Top Mortgage Rates A quicker path to financial freedom Personalized rates in minutes Your Path to Homeownership 'While July's inflation data shows continued moderation in shelter costs, the tariff story may be starting to shift. Indexes for home furnishings and used cars increased, hinting that consumers may be starting to feel the effect of tariffs,' Senior Economist Jake Krimmel said in a statement. Learn more: What Trump's tariffs mean for your money Home price appreciation and rent hikes have both generally eased this year as the home sales market remains mired in a deep slump, and robust apartment construction has added new supply in many cities. Even so, many homebuyers and renters remain stretched at today's prices. On average, rents today are about 30% higher than they were five years ago, and mortgage rates around 6.6%, coupled with home prices near all-time highs, are keeping many would-be homebuyers shut out of the market. Read more: How to buy a house in 2025 Claire Boston is a Senior Reporter for Yahoo Finance covering housing, mortgages, and home insurance. Sign up for the Mind Your Money newsletter Sign in to access your portfolio
