marynyho

Yes I've been renting since I left home and have been working. I have employers references relating to my job, but I didn't know if that would be accepted by estate agents. I am trying to secure a reference from my landlord but they are saying that they can't provide me with one but will respond to reference requests from my potential landlord in Australia? I don't understand why though so I am looking into this more. Yes I have statements that relate to my rent payments and standing orders that are set up.

Thanks for for your honesty. Do they want to see a balance in AUD? How much would you say I would need in the bank, just for the sake of argument? I know that people have said you should have around $10,000 that could last 6 months, is that correct in your opinion?

OMG that is so reassuring, I thought I was the only one who had not visited Australia before deciding on this life changing decision. I suppose the only difference is that I have a 5 year old in tow!

Oh wow, thank you both Tina0101 and Lady Rainicorn for your advice. That does clarify a few things in my head. I have to give 4 weeks notice period on my current home, so maybe I should ship the week I hand in my notice on this place. I am shipping things like washer, bed, desks, sofas etc as I was told by the removal agent that these things may be quite expensive. I was going to ship my mattress too, but maybe I should do what Lady Rainicorn did and buy a mattress when I have my potential home! I have one bedroom worth of stuff that I won't be shipping so I have use of that bed and the cooker and freezer, I was told not to ship cooker and freezer! The airbnb place in Australia comes with basics such as bedroom, kitchen and wash facilities. At this end I would have my home for a month and if I do have to move out, I will stay with family. My main concern is being able to afford a place to live in Melbourne as money is tight, and on these forums it says that people are stumping up 6 months rent in advance, which is out of my budget. I'm trying to secure a job, but this has also proven to be quite difficult! Tina0101 how did you manage to find a place within 10 days? Did you go out to Australia knowing where you wanted to be already? Same question for Lady Rainicorn. I will be coming out as a single parent, with no initial support network, so this is also a concern. Any advice? Thanks

Hi I've always rented in the UK, so have requested that my current landlords write me a reference, but they are being very difficult, they said that they can't provide me with a reference and that any potential landlord would have to contact them. However, I will work my way around this. Do you have any pointers in securing accommodation in Melbourne. What other references would you recommend? Thanks

Any advice will be greatly appreciated by anybody! OK, so I have flights booked with Singapore Airlines for January, I have temporary accommodation sorted-ish, I have decided to use John Masons for shipping but her is where the dilemma begins. I don't have permanent accommodation sorted yet in Melbourne and was hoping to have that sorted in the first month that I'm there (too optimistic?), I will be with my 5 year old, but I'm unsure of when to get the movers in to pack. Should I get my household items/belongings shipped a month before I leave (i.e. December 2014) so that I am without for around 2 months, or a couple of weeks before my impending move, so that I could be without for up to 3 months? John Mason have said that shipping is around 12-14 weeks realistically and they can offer 4 weeks of free storage in Melbourne. Firstly, I suppose, how realistic am I being in assuming that I'll find accommodation within the first month of arriving in Melbourne? I secured my temporary accommodation via airbnb, so I'm actually renting a room for a month as opposed to a home. I tried to find a property but unfortunately finances dictate that this wasn't a viable option! I hear that estate agents generally won't touch you unless you're physically in the country. So, when would you recommend that I ship? Please help.

Thank you cal. I'll get my landlord to supply me with the reference. Would you open an Oz account from the UK? I looked at the banking thread and many said westpac was good, which would you recommend? Did you do it from the UK? Mary.

How many references will suffice? Will my current landlord, whom I have been with for 15 years be a good enough referee? Also, when showing bank statements, does it matter if you have occasionally gone into an agreed overdraft? Thanks in advance

Is this available in January 2015?