The rental application system in Australia faces scrutiny for its convoluted nature, leaving many renters struggling to navigate the process effectively
Wendy Eva-Scott, the proprietor of Your Home Hunter, a renter’s advocacy service, recently criticized Australia’s rental application process as a labyrinthine ordeal that is nearly impossible to navigate.
In a LinkedIn post, Eva-Scott highlighted the undue complexity of the online application process, exacerbated by the absence of a unified central portal. Instead, renters encounter a fragmented landscape with property managers relying on one of four primary systems: Ignite, 2Apply, Sorted, and Snug.
“While online applications were initially touted as quicker and more user-friendly, the reality is far from it. Due to the diverse systems and extensive data requirements, preparing and submitting a single application can easily consume over two hours.”
Wendy Eva-Scott, the Owner of Your Home Hunter
Amidst record-low affordability and housing shortages, securing a rental property is already a daunting task. According to Eva-Scott, the proliferation of disparate online systems has only compounded this challenge.
The neglect of the applicant experience has been observed by Eva-Scott amidst the rush to streamline application processing.
She noted that the primary focus of these platforms is to facilitate agency review, rather than prioritize tenant submission ease.
A Choice survey from the previous year revealed that two-thirds of renters feel uneasy about the extensive information demanded during the application process—a sentiment Eva-Scott attests to.
Most platforms necessitate multiple forms of identification, detailed financial records spanning years, and employment histories reaching back half a decade. Failure to furnish all requested information can impede application submission altogether, Eva-Scott explained.
Even for those who provide all necessary documents, there remains a lack of clarity regarding unspoken criteria employed by property managers in their evaluation process.
“A significant proportion of applicants are oblivious to the widely accepted rule that rent should not exceed one-third of their net income—a criterion often used by property managers. As a result, many renters invest time in applications unlikely to succeed.”
Wendy Eva-Scott, the Owner of Your Home Hunter
Navigating the application process becomes a formidable challenge for those who don’t fit the mold of an ideal tenant. With stringent requirements narrowing the applicant pool, the majority find themselves falling short of the desired profile, Eva-Scott concluded.
