UniSA Accommodation Services
Q. How can I change my password?
Q. I have advertised on the Rental Database in the past, so do I need to register again?
Q. I need to change details of my advertisement, but the system won't let me.
Q. My vacancy has been filled. Could you remove the advertisement?
Q. How much rent should I charge?
Q. Do students prefer furnished properties?
Q. When is the best time of year to advertise?
Q. Can I fax or post the property's details to you for listing?
Q. How will interested students make contact with me?
Q. Why must I supply my full address?
Q. How can I check if my advertisement is active?
Q. Why can't I find my advertisement on the database?
Q. How long will my advertisement be active on the Rental Database?
Q. How much does it cost to use the Rental Database?
Q. What is my username?
A. Your username is your complete email address. If you change your
email address, just email us
and the necessary changes will be made.
Q. What is my password?
A. Just click forgotten password on the
homepage and follow the prompts. Your password will be emailed to you.
Q. How can I change my password?
A. After you login, you will find a change password
function at the bottom of the page.
Q. I have advertised on the Rental Database in the past, so
do I need to register again?
A. Simply login with your username and password. Your details and
previous advertisements stored in the system will appear. You can
edit and renew these
details, as well as add a property.
Q. Can I include photographs?
A. You can upload up to 3 photographs when you create your
new advertisement.
The system will accept JPG files no larger than
40kbs.
Pixlr is an easy to use free photo editing software. Reduce the
actual dimensions of your images (recommended width: 500 pixels) and
save to less than 40kbs. You may find this online tutorial useful for
resizing photos.
Q. I need to change details of my advertisement, but the
system won't let me.
A. There are only three fields (public transport & shops,
special features and photos) which you will not be able to access
after creating your advertisement. Just
email us the details and
we will make the necessary changes.
Q. My vacancy has been filled. Could you remove the
advertisement?
A. Login with your username and password, and the details of your
advertisement will appear. If it is still active, simply click on
remove (on the far right hand side).
However, if it
is no longer active, you will see the word renew.
Q. How much rent should I charge?
A. We cannot advise you on the rent. However, most students are on low
budgets and want clean, affordable properties in reasonably convenient
locations.
Q. Do students prefer furnished properties?
A. Generally, international and interstate students prefer furnished
accommodation, but some students may have their own furniture.
Q. When is the best time of year to advertise?
A. The beginning of the year (January - March) is the period of
greatest demand for student accommodation, followed by June & July.
However, you can advertise anytime, as there are students looking for
accommodation at all times of the year.
Q. Can I fax or post the property's details to you
for listing?
A. The Rental Database is a free internet-based system. All
advertisements are to be submitted online only. If you do not have
access to the internet at home, you could seek assistance from a friend
who has a computer or at your local library.
Q. How will interested students make contact with me?
A. Students will ring you. It is then up to you to ask questions to
screen the student for suitability. Please remember to indicate the
hours when you are available for contact.
Q. Why must I supply my full address?
A. We need your full address for our records. Please rest assured
that your advertisement will not display your house/unit number.
Q. How can I check if my
advertisement is active?
A. After you log in, the available box will be
ticked, if your advertisement is active.
Q. Why can't I find my advertisement on the database?
A. If you add a listing, it will remain on hold awaiting approval from
our staff. Please allow one working day for this process. You will
receive an email once this process has been completed.
Q. How long will my advertisement be active on the Rental
Database?
A. Once it has been approved, your advertisement will be available for
viewing for up to 2 weeks from the date of approval. You will receive a
reminder email 3 days before this period ends. At the end of this period you may
renew the listing for another 2 weeks, as
often as you wish. Please remember to remove
your advertisement if the vacancy is filled.
Q. How much does it cost to use the Rental Database?
A. This is a free service aimed at helping UniSA students find suitable
accommodation. We simply require you to abide by the relevant
tenancy laws.
Q. How can I be sure that the advertisement is genuine and not an internet rental scam?
Q. My landlord/housemates say that we don't need a written agreement or receipts. Is that OK?
Q. I have found a few vacancies in which I'm interested. What do I do now?
Q. How do I know whether the accommodation will be safe and right for me?
Q. I can't see the contact details for the vacancies because
I do not have a UniSA username and password. Can you arrange that for
me?
A. The Rental Database is only for enrolled UniSA students. Your
username and password become active after you have enrolled in your
courses. Of course, you can use the guest search function of the
database (Just looking) to research possible housing options.
It is most important to visit the properties of interest to you to check
on their suitability and availability. We also recommend meeting your
potential landlord/housemates before committing yourself to a
legally binding lease. We strongly advise against pre-arranging and
paying for accommodation through the Rental Database, or any other share
accommodation website, before arrival in Adelaide.
Q. How can I be sure that the advertisement is genuine and
not an internet rental scam?
A. Do not pay any money unless you have thoroughly inspected the rental
property. Do not pay any money unless you are satisfied that the
agreement is genuine. Make sure that you get a receipt for any money
paid. Be wary of sending money overseas, particularly to a post box
number or through Western Union.
Q. I don't know Adelaide very well. How do I search the
database for accommodation near my UniSA campus?
A. Select the around campus search option. A
Google map will show the location of all the vacancies.
Q. My landlord/housemates say that we don't need a written agreement or receipts. Is that OK?
A. This is entirely your decision. However, we strongly recommend
written lease agreements, as outlined by the
Tenancies Branch
of Consumer and Business Services.
This will help to prevent misunderstandings about the agreement and what
is included in the rent.
Q. I have never rented a property before. Where can I find information
about my rights and responsibilities?
A. Visit the very useful
Tenancies Branch
website of Consumer and Business
Services, which includes
Questions about renting for international students an on-line
Information Brochure, as well as fact sheets. It covers topics such
as tenants' rights and responsibilities, security bonds, share-housing,
maintenance, etc.
Their free advisory service is available during office hours Monday - Friday at Level 1, 91-97 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, or telephone 131882.
Q. I have found a few vacancies in which I'm interested. What
do I do now?
A. you should ring the contact person listed in the advertisement,
confirm that the accommodation is still available, and arrange a meeting
and an inspection of the property. Click here for
more tips.
Q. How do I know whether the accommodation will be safe and right for
me?
A. Unfortunately we don't have the resources to inspect accommodation
listed on our Rental Database, or interview the people offering
accommodation through this information exchange. You will need to make
your own decision about the suitability of the accommodation, and
whether your prospective housemates or landlord are trustworthy and
friendly. Please refer to our
Terms and Conditions.
Here are some useful tips which can help you make a decision:
Q. I have never lived in share accommodation before. Where can I get
good information about what to expect?
A. Share-housing can be a good way of making your money go further when
you are a student! It can also be a way of making new friends. But
before you say 'Yes' to a share-house, it's best to be aware of
some of the problems which can occur and how to avoid them.
Here are some tips for selecting suitable housemates (PDF 63KB - Adobe Reader). Download the Sharehouse Toolkit on the ShelterSA website. It's a valuable resource for anyone thinking about living in share accommodation.
