Frequently Asked Questions about Property
This section is for Students and Staff. If you have questions about advertising a property, please see the Advertising Accommodation page. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please contact us.
Please click on the relevant questions:
What is the Accommodation Database?
How do I access the Accommodation Database?
I live overseas/interstate? Can I access the Accommodation Database before I arrive in Sydney?
I can’t find anything suitable on the Accommodation Database, where else can I search?
I need to move quickly, where can I get help?
Can I get financial help to cover the costs of moving?
Are there any low-cost options for living on or near campus?
I have never lived in share accommodation before, what should I expect?
I have never rented a property before. Where can I get information about my rights and responsibilities as a tenant?
What is a rental "Bond"? Do I need to pay it?
Help! I have a problem with the other person in my share house and think I may need legal advice.
I am staff member. Can I use the Accommodation Service?
I want to live on campus. What do I do?
I made an application to on-campus accommodation but haven’t heard anything. What should I do?
I haven’t been successful in securing a place on-campus. What are my other options?
What is the Accommodation Database?
The Accommodation Database lists off-campus properties being offered to University of Sydney students. You can find information about how to search the database, what it offers and make contact with people offering accommodation on the Off campus accommodation page.
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How do I access the Accommodation Database?
You need your Unikey and Login to access the database. You receive these when you enroll. If you are not yet enrolled but have a letter of offer from the University you can visit our office.
and we will assist you. If you are not yet enrolled but want to find out about accommodation offered near the University see the Other Search Options section
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I live overseas/interstate. Can I access the Database before I arrive in Sydney?
If you are already enrolled you can access the database here. If you are not enrolled, you can search for properties in the Other Search Options section. Please remember that you will not be able to secure off-campus accommodation until you arrive in Sydney. We strongly advise that you do not accept any accommodation until you have inspected the property yourself. Please also ensure that you do not provide money to anyone offering accommodation over the internet.
International and interstate students should have temporary accommodation organized from the time they arrive in Sydney until they secure a more permanent place to live. The Casual and Temporary Accommodation page can help you.
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I can’t find anything suitable on the Accommodation Database, where else can I search?
Please to the Other Search Options section for a list of other sites you can search for off-campus accommodation.
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I need to move quickly, where can I get help?
If you need to move urgently, please contact us and we will help you with options for moving, or contacts for emergency housing.
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Can I get financial help to cover the costs of moving?
The Financial Assistance Office can help enrolled students pay moving expenses. Please go to the Financial Assistance Office website or call (02) 9351 2416.
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Are there any low-cost options for living on or near campus?
Selle House and STUCCO offer accommodation to students on a very low budget. Please see their websites for more information. Download the Cost Comparison sheet to find out what you should expect to pay for accommodation.
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I have never lived in share accommodation before, what should I expect?
The Share Housing Survival Guide provides all the information you need to consider when sharing a house. Also see the Tenancy Resources page for more information.
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I have never rented a property before. Where can I get information about my rights and responsibilities as a tenant?
The Tenancy Resources page has links to information about being a tenant.
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What is a rental "Bond"? Do I need to pay it?
A bond is a like a security deposit that you pay at the beginning of your tenancy. Please see the Tenancy Resources page for more information.
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Help! I have a problem with the other person in my share house and think I may need legal advice.
Free legal advice is available to all students. Please see our Tenants page for contact details.
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I am staff member. Can I use the Accommodation Service?
The Accommodation Service is for students only. You can offer accommodation through the Accommodation Database, but cannot access the accommodation details. Please go to our Staff & Visitors page for other options.
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I want to live on campus. What do I do?
There are a number of on-campus and University owned accommodation options. Each residence is run separately and offer different resources. Go to our On-campus and University Owned Accommodation page for more information and links to each accommodation.
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I made an application to on-campus accommodation but haven’t heard anything. What should I do?
You will need to contact the residence you made the application to as each has a separate application process. Go to the On-campus and University Owned Accommodation page for contact details.
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I haven’t been successful in securing a place on-campus. What are my other options?
There are a number of options for living off-campus, such as living in a share house, or renting a property. For more information, please see our Off-campus Accommodation page.
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