Things Have Changed - Renting A Place To Live

This is not a place I have rented but I like the picture                    Image:Marie Vonow

I was thinking about the cost of renting a place to live back in the mid seventies compared to now. It struck me it is difficult to compare the price of daily living because there are so many variables. Whether you are trying to compare the price of a rental, a new house, a car, the weekly grocery bill, clothing, a television or utilities there are numerous variables. I also started thinking about other aspects of renting beside the cost which have changed.

Renting in 1975

Back in 1975 we rented a comfortable 3 bedroom house for $35 a week. It was in a convenient location, close to the bus so I could get to uni easily. We had friendly neighbours and were very happy there.

1975 rental                                                  Image:Marie Vonow

A quick online search showed the cheapest 3 bedroom house in that suburb is now $290 a week rent. It had none of the modern conveniences I have come to expect. In fact there was no heating, the fireplace had been filled in. We had a basic but efficient gas heater in our lounge room back in 1975. There was no evidence or mention of air conditioning or ceiling fans. Of course we didn't have those things back in 1975 either but I don't recall anyone having those conveniences.

Renting in 1976

Late in 1976 we moved to a country town for work reasons and rented a 3 bedroom cottage for $25 a week. The cheapest house I found for rent online in that town was $300. The details included mention of two air conditioners. The house was in better condition than the one we rented for $25 but we had been grateful to get that one as rentals were few and far between in the town back then.

Modern rentals usually have air conditioning and often include items such as a dishwasher. There may be solar panels, an ensuite, ceiling fans, built in wardrobes and a carport or two with an electric roller door. However the backyard may be tiny compared to the larger block of yesteryear.

How do you compare the price of rent when the type of house and what it has to offer is so different now? Other costs have certainly increased since 1975 and many things people expect to have these days hadn't been invented or were not in common usage.

Proving you are a good tenant

Back in 1975 you took a look at a house that was available for rent and if you wanted it, then paid a bond and a couple weeks of rent to the owner or the real estate office and that was it! You probably got a rent book which would be filled out and signed each week or fortnight when you paid your rent. You paid in person with cash or perhaps a cheque. We always used cash.

You didn't need references, statement of income, proof of identity or any of the paperwork required these days. Nobody even asked if you had pets and if so what type and size. Tenants just expected to be allowed to have pets. There were no regular inspections to check you were taking care of the house.

On the other hand, I don't think there were all the rules and regulations to protect tenants either.

Finding a rental

Back in 1975 you looked in the newspaper, checked out noticeboards or heard about a vacancy from a friend when you were looking for a rental. These days people usually get their information from the internet. This way they get far more detail of the rental and can decide if it's worth a look.

All I can say is that times have changed. Life has changed in so many ways over the course of my life http://minamaries.blogspot.com/2018/05/times-have-changed-op-shopping-for.html