There has been a lot of discussion about the Brisbane rental market and the battle to get a rental property.

There are a number of factors contributing to this pressure. We have people pouring in from Melbourne and Sydney each and every month. Our universities are opening back up and students are now back in the market.

Further, people have sold their homes or are renovating and need to find a place for a short period of time.

All of this is on top of the normal “grown up/broken up/shacking up” that sees people move houses every week.

Brisbane is such a popular place to live and tenants, with strong job opportunities, are battling it out for properties.

In the past couple of weeks I have seen rental properties with more than 30 applications. But there are still a number that are attracting more moderate interest, so don’t believe all the hype. But just in case, I thought I’d share a few tips on how to stand out for the wrong and right reasons.

The Do’s

• Do submit your application before your inspection and tell them you’ll be attending.
• Do ensure your references, work and previous rental, are ready to respond quickly.
• Do present like a tenant you would want in your property. First impressions count.

The Don’ts

• Don’t turn up at the open house with one minute to go and stay for 10 minutes.
• Don’t start picking the place apart in front of other tenants.
• Don’t assume the place is furnished just because there was furniture in the photos and complain about ‘false advertising’ when you discover it was the current tenant’s furniture.

Haesley Cush is an award winning auctioneer who has called more than 10,000 auctions. He co-owns Ray White New Farm, East Brisbane, Spring Hill, Bulimba, Clayfield, Toowong and Living Here Cush Partners property management business.