[Lara Croft]

Hi - I've found a nice sounding rental in Viewmont Drive, Lower Hutt. Can anyone offer any opinions of what this neighbourhood is like?

We are a family with one 8-year old, and 7 cats, looking for somewhere quiet with plenty of space. Proximity to shops is not important, a nice primary school fairly local would be good.

What do you think?

Thanks folks,

Jane

[BigRod]

Viewmont Drive is in Tirohanga; its quite a steep road up from SH2 but otherwise its OK.

.... the speed at which rentals get let in the Hutt at the moment you would do very well if you can you can bag a rental before getting here. I know colleagues of mine found that there are usually 10-20 prospective tenants for every property they looked at, and it took them some time to find a suitable property for rent.

Rod

[Lara Croft]

Thanks Rod. This one has been available for a week or so, which makes me suspicious about why nobody has snapped it up yet.... or is that just my paranoia??

Cheers,
Jane

[BigRod]

Hi Jane,

One thing to remember with TM listings for rentals, is that the property managers like to leave them on after they are let (after all they paid the listing fee) as it drums up additional business for them.

For what its worth I can give a little advice on selecting the right rentals in the area:
1. If a property has been available for some time (> 2 weeks) then find out why - with rentals moving so fast here in the Hutt they don't normally last more than a couple of days.
2. If you can avoid it *never* rent a property sight unseen. You would be amazed at the magic that real estate cameras can do. Funnily enough they also don't take pictures of the mold on the walls, leaking roof, the unsafe appliances or the P-lab that is next door!
3. Always get everything in writing; if on inspection, or time of signing the contract, the property manager says they will do something or there is something not right then write it on the inspection form / contract as this is then binding.
4. Visit the DBH (Department of Building and Housing) website, read carefully and understand you rights and obligations as a tenant. http://www.dbh.govt.nz/tenants-index
5. Don't 'rush-in' to a property just because you feel pressured due to time constraints; this can lead to stress and costly problems if you find you make a mistake. Friends of mine did exactly this and then we had to put them up whilst they took the time to find the right property (once bitten twice shy).

... So I would strongly recommend that maybe you should consider a short term holiday Bach rental (or negotiated rate with a motel / homestay) whilst you look in person for the right rental. In the long run it may work out cheaper and certainly give you less headaches.

All the best,

Rod

[Lara Croft]

Thanks Rod, good advice.

I have a contact in NZ who I think I will ask to go and view this property on our behalf - get some impartial advice on it!

Regards,
Jane