Advertising Accommodation
We accept can advertise your accommodation offers on our Accommodation Database which students can access. This is a free service. This section provides information about:
Types of Accommodation
The Accommodation Database
Privacy
Screening Students
Rent and Bond
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have accommodation and would like to advertise it with us please read through this section. If you have a particular query not answered by the information here you can contact us. You can also visit the Tenancy section for information about right and responsibilities.
To offer accommodation a staff member or visiting academic, please see the Staff & Visitors page.
To re-list a property, please contact us.
Conditions for Listing and Disclaimer
The Accommodation Service will list your offer on the following conditions:
- If accepted, your offer of accommodation will be advertised on our Accommodation Database for 4 weeks from the available date, after which time it will be removed.
- Please inform us if any details of the accommodation change, so that we can ensure the information we provide is accurate.
- Please advise us when the accommodation is no longer available.
- Please note that the Accommodation Service does not screen students. It is up to the owner or other tenants to assess each student’s application to the property.
- We reserve the right, in our absolute discretion, to decline, or remove your offer of accommodation from our Database at any time. We are under no obligation to disclose our reasons why.
Types of Accommodation
We list:
- Share houses
- Full-board
- Rental properties
- Temporary accommodation
- Accommodation in exchange for work
Download the Definitions of Tenancy Terms sheet for full descriptions of each type.
If you unsure whether your accommodation is suitable, please contact us.
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The Accommodation Database
Your offer will be listed in the Accommodation Database which students from the University can search.
We can take listings over the telephone, via email, or in person. Go to the contact us page for details.
You will be asked questions about yourself and the property. Please provide accurate information so that you attract suitable applicants.
Students can only access limited information about you and the property. Please see the Privacy section below.
Students can access the Accommodation Database through the University website (using their student id and password), or by visiting our office where will be asked for their student identification.
We will ask for your permission to advertise the property on the University intranet.
If any details change, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can update the listing.
Properties are listed for 4 weeks from the available date. We will then contact you via your email or postal address. You can relist the property if you have not found a suitable tenant.
When the accommodation has been filled, we deactivate your listing so that students cannot access details. However, the property details are stored on the Accommodation Database so you can re-list in the future.
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Privacy
Only University of Sydney students can access the Database. Students' personal ID and security code are required before they can access the Database. Student iID is also requested if students visit our office.
We request your full name, property address, and phone number. To protect your privacy, students are not given your surname or street number.
Initial contact from students will be by phone or email only - you can then decide if you want to meet with the student.
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Screening students
We do not screen students. It is up to you to ask questions and decide if want the student to view the property.
It is useful to have questions to ask the students when you speak with them over the phone so you can determine if they might be suitable. If you invite them to inspect the accommodation, speak to them about what you are offering so they know what to expect.
It is between you and the student to agree to the tenancy arrangements. Please ensure you know your rights and responsibilities.
You can ask for references from students, but many are moving out of home for the first time and don’t have a rental history. International students may not have English speaking referees or contacts.
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Rent and Bond
We advertise properties at market rates. You can research rental prices in your area at www.domain.com.au or www.realestate.com.au.
Some people offer accommodation at cheaper rates to assists students on low-budgets. However, this is not expected of you.
If you ask for a bond you are required, by law, to lodge the money with the Rental Bond Board. See the Tenancy Resources page for more information.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Advertisers
If your question is not answered here, please contact us.
Questions:
What do students want?
What’s the most popular type of accommodation?
What can students afford to pay?
Do I need to furnish the accommodation?
Who do students want to share with?
What’s the busiest time of year?
Does the Accommodation Service inspect my property?
Do you find the "right" student for me?
What do students look for?
Accommodation that is:
- Clean and secure
- Affordable
- Close to their campus, or to public transport. Click here for campus locations (LINK).
Please note, many people offer bedrooms as twin share, but most students want a bedroom to themselves.
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What's the most popular type of accommodation?
Students have differing requirements:
- Share accommodation is the cheapest and most popular option for students.
- Rental properties are popular with students wanting to live alone or with friends.
- Full board or homestay is used mostly by International students because meals are provided and assistance is sometimes given with English language skills.
- Visiting students often need cheap, temporary accommodation close to campus, for short periods of time (up to a couple of months).
- Accommodation in exchange for work is not common, but can help students to lower living expenses.
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What can students afford to pay?
Students' circumstances vary. But most students are on a low budget and prefer relatively inexpensive accommodation.
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Do I need to furnish the accommodation?
There is a demand for both furnished and unfurnished accommodation. International and interstate students prefer furnished accommodation. However, many local students want unfurnished accommodation.
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Who do students want to share with?
Students generally want to live with other students and young people. However, there are many students happy to share with mature people in established homes, particularly mature-age and postgraduate students.
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What’s the busiest time of year?
Most students are looking in January, February and March. July is also busy for students starting in Semester 2. A smaller number of students look throughout the year.
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Does the Accommodation Service inspect my property?
We do not inspect your property, and rely on the information you supply to us for accuracy. Please see Conditions for listing and disclaimer.
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Do you find the "right" student for me?
We do not place students in accommodation. Students will contact you via phone or email to find out about the property. You can then ask questions, or screen, the students before deciding whether you want them to view the property.
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