From time to time we receive enquiries from people who give a maximum budget way below the costs of our advertised properties. We take the time to explain to them the reason for prices being as they are and have subsequently been able to match them with a property which they have been happy with. As a result we have produced this short guide to explain what you should expect to pay and why

Sort term fully equipped rental properties vary greatly in price. Many things determine this: location, property size, facilities, furnishings and what's included.

The homes that we, and other specialists in the furnished rental market, offer are all fully-furnished and fully equipped. This means that you will find everything from a lounge suite to a garlic press in your home:

• You will have space and privacy for your whole family.

• You will have the convenience of a fully equipped laundry with washing machine, iron and ironing board.

• You will have a kitchen equipped as well as most home kitchens.

• You will have separate lounge rooms so the adults and children can have their own space.

• Some have gardens,

• Some have swimming pools,

• All have owners who have taken pride in their rental homes. Taking the time to furnish them well and providing all the things you need to make your stay there comfortable and enjoyable. You also have included in the price all your utility bills unless stated differently in the home description.

All these things don’t come cheap. The owner of your home will have to pay electricity, gas, council rates, water, and insurance premiums for the home - whether someone is staying there or not. Homes with gardens will have garden maintenance, if there is a pool then pool maintenance and chemicals to ensure your safety. If the home has a monitored alarm system that also is paid by the owner. The homes have to be cleaned from top to bottom between each arrival to ensure everything is perfect. There is also the general maintenance inside and out of the property to keep the home looking and feeling it’s best for you, their guests. Finally, furniture and equipment have to be regularly replaced and serviced to always ensure an acceptable standard and make sure that you are not disappointed.  

Our owners have all worked out their charges based upon what they feel is suitable for the home they offer. These costs are usually based on the things above, and what will allow them to keep their standards high. Many owners view their homes as their retirement fund, knowing that their property is growing in value every year. The rent they charge covers only their costs on maintaining the property. 

If you really feel that you should be paying less for your accommodation then stop for a moment and think of it this way, look at all the outgoing costs you have for your home per week, bear in mind too your mortgage and the fact that these homes have to be decorated more often and have furniture replaced more frequently than a normal family home. Then decide what you could comfortably afford to charge someone to live in your 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home.

People have also said to us that they see properties listed in newspapers and via local estate agents at a lower price. Yes that’s true, but again there are many things to bear in mind. Most of these rentals are for a minimum period, usually 6 months. In addition you have agents letting fees to pay, you have all your utility bills to pay including connection fees. When you leave the property you will have a full inspection carried out by the agent and will be charged for any difference in the property between when you arrived and when you leave -  even if this is normal wear and tear. The windows will have to be professionally cleaned as will the carpets and you will have to provide receipts for this. Garden maintenance will be your responsibility too. Leave early and you will incur lease-breaking costs.

So as you can see on the face of it this option may seem cheaper, you can have many hidden costs and accommodation of a much lower standard, plus have to stay in the property for 6 months and this isn’t usually what most people want or need. 

Short term fully furnished accommodation such as our owners offer is just as it sounds, perfect holiday accommodation that has everything you need for the short period until your own things arrive. If you stay longer than 3 or 4 weeks you may find that the owner of the home will offer you a slight reduction in rent. This will reflect the fact that they will not be required to service the accommodation between guests as would normally happen. 

As a comparison, we have looked into the costs involved for renting alternative accommodation types:

• A 4-star city centre hotel can cost $250 per night.

• A serviced apartment sleeping up to 4 on Scarborough Beach will cost $160 per night

• A motel room close to the airport will be $115 for a double room.

• A cabin in a caravan park will cost $145 per night for up to 4 people.

• Even a tent pitch on a camp site will cost around $30 per night (without the tent!).

None of these will give you the comfort, privacy and lifestyle that a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home will. These cost from $67 per night, less for some of our smaller homes.

Please bear all these things in mind when you are budgeting for your accommodation.