Frequently asked questions

Students

I am renting for the first time. What do I need to know?

Before looking at rentals/student accommodation make sure you do a budget on your income and expenses. Study Australia provide useful information on studying, working and living in Australia. There is also a Living Costs Calculator that can help with your preparations. Apart from the rent, there will be other household expenses, such as electricity, internet, food, phone, clothes, fuel, entertainment etc.

Once you have organised your budget and are sure of your weekly budget, check in with individual real estate agents, www.realestate.com.au, newspaper The NT News (Wednesdays and Saturday editions), CDU StudyStays, Gumtree, and various Facebook rental/lease breaks pages to look at your options for accommodation.

To combat the high costs associated with moving out/renting you may choose to share a house/room with other people. You may want to lease an entire house or unit and advertise for other tenants to fill the other rooms, or you may choose to rent a room/bed in an already established house or unit. 

Before you move into a new place or have other people move into your place have a think about the type of people you would like to live with. For example: Would you like to live with other students? Would you prefer someone who is a local? You will also need to decide how the household costs will be shared, who is responsible for paying the bills, and what the consequences are for not keeping up with the rental payments. Most importantly, make sure your housemates have a regular income so that you wont be put in a situation where you have to make up the difference in rent if they one month can't pay their half.

At the beginning of a tenancy you are usually required to pay a security deposit (bond) equivalent to four weeks of rent, and you will also be required to pay a fortnight's rent in advance. This bond money is held by the landlord as security against damage caused by the tenant, unpaid rent etc.

Contact the Accommodation Officer on accommodation.assistance@cdu.edu.au if you have any other questions!



Does the off-campus accommodation service check the property, the landlord and any people living in the property?

No - Accommodation Services do not check any properties listed on CDU StudyStays.

CDU Off-Campus Accommodation Officers can provide students with the resources to find and inspect properties independently. We can check your lease, application forms, and provide advice if you experience any tenancy problems. Unfortunately, we can’t find, inspect or submit applications for properties on your behalf, as it is important that you inspect the properties to find the one that is right for you.

It is vital that you inspect, IN PERSON, any property you are considering renting before you move in or sign any agreements. It is up to you to ensure that the property is suitable and is a place where you would be happy to live. CDU StudyStays is offered as a resource to assist students finding accommodation only. Any lease or other housing arrangement entered into are at the discretion of the student and the accommodation provider. Students should advise the CDU Off-Campus Accommodation Officer if they have encountered any issues with accommodation they have found on our database.

Students are welcome to make an appointment (either in-person or over the phone) with the Off-Campus Accommodation Officer to discuss accommodation options. Please contact them on (08)8946 6288 or accommodation.assistance@cdu.edu.au .


Why are database listings still displayed when the accommodation provider tells me the vacancy has been rented?

Providers sometimes forget to let us know their vacancy has been filled. The property may also have just been rented so providers have not had a chance to tell us or take down the advertisement. If you do come across a property that has been filled, but is still on our site as vacant please let us know!

If I have problems with the landlord, Real Estate Agent or other members of the household, what should I do?

You should always do as much research as you can about your rights and responsibilities before you sign a lease agreement or related documents.

If you need general, non-urgent advice about renting including your responsibilities, rights and the laws relating to renting and accommodation in Darwin, you can reach out to NT Consumer Affairs and Darwin Community Legal Service 

I am unsure about my rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Where can I get advice?

Queries such as: visitors staying, internet/phone connections, pets and food arrangements will need to be discussed with the landlord and/or other tenants before signing any agreement.


Legal rights and responsibilities for both the tenant and landlord can be found at https://consumeraffairs.nt.gov.au/for-consumers/residential-tenancies


For more information contact the accommodation officer on accommodation.assistance@cdu.edu.au