Understanding the language for types of housing

Homes have a number of different names and it helps to know what these mean when you are exploring housing options.

Commonly you will see small homes described as:

– an apartment or flat: self-contained housing that is usually part of or on the same grounds as a house, it may or may not be part of a block of self-contained flats or apartments;

– a studio: a bachelor pad, granny or bedsit flat or apartment consists of an open plan or combined bedroom/ living area, kitchenette and bath/shower toilet that is often within a house;

– a duplex: two homes attached by a common wall with private and separate entrances/exits. They often they have two stories/floors;

– a simplex: a freestanding single story house. It is often part of a cluster of homes (or complex) on the same piece of land.   Each simplex may share common garden and parking and utility areas. The complex is often fenced or walled with a shared driveway entrance and exit;

– a townhouse: part of a group of attached homes or duplexes;

– house:  a freestanding (separate) building of varying sizes, on one piece of land.

Other types of homes include cottage, bungalow, cabin, and caravan or motor home.

 

A pathway guide to finding a place to call home

1. Talk to your network of support. A house, room or even a caravan in a driveway may be available for you to rent now from someone you know.
2. If you are homeless or are on a low-income phone or visit a Housing Connect office.
3. Consider any specialist housing options that are available to meet your particular circumstances or needs. Visit the Specialist Disability Accomodation article of Finding Your Way.
4. If you are renting through the open market search the real estate/rental section of Newspapers in your region. Look at real estate websites and guides and community notice boards and talk with real estate agents and shopkeepers. Share accommodation can also be found this way.
5. Contact Local Government (council) areas to ask if they provide rental accommodation. Tell them that you are interested in living in their municipality (area) and ask them to send you their newsletter and any relevant information about housing.
6. View rental homes on-line if you can. This will save time. Look at google maps. WEBSITE RESOURCE: https://www.google.com/maps   enter the house number and street address and check out the street view and location.
7. When you find somewhere to view, go to the open home or phone the real estate agent or property owner to arrange a date and time to look at the home.
8. Don’t give up on looking for a place. Sometimes it takes a lot of time out of your day and can take a while but the more time you spend looking the more chances you will have of finding a place.

Holding fees

Once you have found a place, a holding fee may be paid by a prospective agent or owner to hold the premises for more than 7 days. A holding fee will hold the premise (keep it from being rented to another party) during the time agreed.  A landlord/agent is not obliged to accept a holding fee. The prospective tenant is not obliged to rent the premise when the holding fee expires, although this is the expectation. The rental does not officially commence until a lease is entered into. Sometimes a holding fee can be confused with a bond (security deposit) or rent in advance so ensure it is clear what is being paid for.