Accommodation in Adelaide

Expats will find that accommodation in Adelaide is much cheaper than in Sydney or Melbourne. As in most cities, though, house prices tend to increase the closer they are to the city centre.

Before setting out on a house hunt, expats should consider transport links, proximity to work and school, budget and lifestyle. In some cases, it may be necessary to sacrifice one aspect for another.

Types of accommodation in Adelaide

Adelaide is at the foot of a range of hills and most of the houses are in low one or two-storey buildings; taller apartment buildings are only common in and around the city centre. Furnished options are available, though most properties are unfurnished.

Expats moving to Adelaide should expect housing that is modest but pleasant. A large portion of the city’s real estate is rather old though, and renovated accommodation can be pricier.

Adelaide winters can get quite chilly, while summers bring along some scorching days. We advise keeping an eye out for places with heating facilities and air conditioning or ceiling fans.

Finding accommodation in Adelaide

The best place to start a house search is usually online property portals. These can give expats a good idea of what's available within various price ranges and in different suburbs. Local newspapers, estate agents and word of mouth are also useful tools in finding the perfect new home. Many expats initially stay in short-term accommodation at first, while they search for something more permanent.

We strongly advise expats not to sign or pay anything before seeing the accommodation in person.

Renting accommodation in Adelaide

Making an application

A system known as the ‘100-point identification check’ is used countrywide for a number of administrative applications, including rental applications. Several proof of identity documents must be submitted, each with a certain point value. These must add up to 100 points for the application to be successful.

Since the market moves fast, expats should prepare this documentation ahead of time so that they can submit their application as soon as they find something they like.

Leases and deposits

Most leases in Australia are for a period of 12 months, although it may be possible to negotiate a shorter or longer lease term if necessary.

When signing a lease, tenants will need to pay a deposit (known as a bond) of four to six weeks' rent. At the end of the lease, costs to repair damages (if there were any) to the property will be deducted from the bond, with the remainder returned to the tenant.

Paying rent

Unlike many other countries, rental prices in Australia are typically quoted per week rather than per month and rent is usually either paid fortnightly or monthly. To avoid any surprises, expats should make sure to double-check what the terms are.

Utilities

In most cases, tenants are responsible for all utilities, such as water, electricity, waste removal and gas, along with the cost of the rent.