buzzy--bee

Is this the case in QLD? I wasn't sure as in VIC tenants can be evicted mid-lease if the owner wishes to inhabit the property (hence my comment about long term investors above) BB

Yes you need to submit a UK tax return and will probably have to submit them going back 5 years. BB

If you are concerned because you think you will be evicted by the owner, ask the agent if the owner is a buy-and-hold property investor (ie has several investment properties). These types of investors are unlikely to sell in the short term as they are going for capital growth. BB

Clever suggestion to solve 2 problems at once! Good luck with everything. BB

Your first page has to be good enough to make them turn to page 2. So all the impact on page 1. Also make sure your contact details are as aussie as possible. Aussie address if possible. Aussie email address (not .co.uk) BB

I thought you were going to ask about insuring your boat! BB

Hi Debs Thank you for your message about our accommodation - I have replied to your PM. Regards BB

Have you considered renting a car if you are only here for 6 months? Sites such as rent a bomb might be cheaper than buying, insuring, registering and then selling a car. BB

Yes, 2 of my rentals have tenants with cats, and we allow cats in our short-term rental too. Just ask the agent/landlord. If the agent says no, ask them to ask the Landlord. BB

A lot of primary schools are not zoned so it won't matter. I'm surprised you have enrolled her before you arrive - very trusting of you that the school is a good one and will suit her! BB

Why not do a CERT IV in project management? This is a short course - can even be done online I think. BB

Near Keysborough but much nicer and still on new estates - try Waterways Estate (junction of Governor and Springvale roads) and the Epsom Park Estate in Mordialloc. BB

I was confusing with the shortest day which is in 11 days. BB

Indeed - look at the next 7 days of winter! Today and tomorrow are looking a bit average but after that it looks very pleasant for mid-winter. BB

Hi - you'll probably need to go to open houses and be ready to fill in the forms on the spot. I'd be surprised if there are 20 genuine applicants for rentals in Mornington, some of them will be people who never go through with the lease or are not suitable tenants. You are welcome to contact me if you need stop-gap accommodation, we may be able to help at that time. BB

Or another option is to have a long holiday on the way in a cheap country - we spent 6 weeks in Mexico while our container sailed around. Accommodation was round $200 per week for a 1 bed apartment on the beach. Good advice. We are still buying linen from John Lewis 9 years later. BB

Rentals of less than 12 months tend to be furnished short-term lets which are very expensive compared to 12 month lets, but include all furniture, all bills, absolutely everything. These require payment in advance. Most people who stay in our short-term accommodation stay for 4 - 6 weeks. 12 month rentals are unfurnished, do not include bills, and are paid monthly by signing a legal contract. You also have to pay a deposit. We own several of these and no-one has ever signed up for less than 12 months as they wouldn't be accepted. There really isn't anything in between unfortunately. BB

I reckon Ascot Vale or Essendon or Pascoe Vale might fit your requirements. BB

Cooler compared to more northern Australian cities, tropical compared to most of the UK! I love winter in Melbourne - sunny, clear days, no frosts or snow (unless you live in the Dandenongs or something), and no worries about hats and sunscreen all the time! BB

Right now there are lots of vacant houses on the Central Coast, but the best ones still go straight away. So this strategy might work on a house that wasn't as attractive as others. BB

I use a BA for my investment properties because that is all about $$$ and nothing else. I would not use one for a PPOR as that is more about emotion than $$$$ and you can't outsource emotion! BB

In VIC there is no law that says you can't change your own plugs. This may be different in other states. BB

We are not on the peninsula, we are in Mordialloc in SE Melbourne, about 12 mins walk from the train station. Here is the link with details - http://www.lifeinvictoria.com/forum/accommodation-available/3880-self-contained-studio-apartment-rent-close-beach-train-station.html#post19742 BB

Hi - we did exchange private messages in September about our apartment - we are currently booked but have some availability from 5th June - does that help? BB

Hi Claire and Luke We live in Parkdale, which is the only beach in Melbourne where horses are allowed to be swum in the sea. Our kids love to watch the horses swimming (they have even been allowed to ride them bareback in the sea!) and we often talk to the owners. One area where a lot of the owners seem to be based is Narre Warren and Harkaway, perhaps you could start looking there? BB