Derby Place

RNIS was invited to Derby Place as guests of Mister Bianco.

Derby Place is a display suite in Kew about 200 metres up the road from Mister Bianco. They are right outside the number 48 line in the leafy suburb of Kew. In Kew you can find many good restaurants and Box Hill is nearby.

 All the apartments will come with brand new kitchen appliances such as this wonderful oven that cooks just about everything including pizza. Here we were treated to free antipasti, oysters, meatballs, aranchini, pasta you name it. And all worked well with red wine. All of these dishes were from Mister Bianco who does authentic Italian and many bloggers including myself have been down there.

All the apartments will be spacious and fully furnished which is great for a student. They will be building the apartments soon and afterwards students can move in. Right now they are looking for buyers. They can be students who have the money to buy their own property. If you do then that means that there is no rent to be paid and you could live by yourself or with friends. Or share with someone.

Do check out their site and prices. Most of the places have been sold already but there are still some. Do hurry up and buy yours

Home safety: How to be safe at home.

Many International students come to Melbourne and have to rent/move into a new place and sometimes they may not know how to be safe in the home.

image courtesy of homeequityloan.net

Fire safety is one of the biggest concerns for students. Every building/house that you live in must have a smoke alarm. It is against the law to not have one. If you don't have one talk to your landlord. They must make some sort of arrangements to install the smoke alarm or they can be fined

Don't deadlock yourself at home. You'll need to get out safely if there is a fire

Also do get renters insurance. This is to insure your home just in case something happens. Then you may not have to foot the bill for the damage and trust you me its probably a huge bill. RACV has a great policy and they do take care of their members.

Get a lock for the letterbox. You don't want people to steal your mail. And if you share with flatmates make sure that they know and they have the key as well.

Image courtesy of clipartsheep.com

Watch your cooking. Always be around it until it has finished.

Do make sure that your windows and doors are locked when you go out or are asleep.

What are some of your biggest home safety concerns? Do tell us below.

Sushi Hub and free coffee this week courtesy of CoM

As part of Bupa's best blog competition for 2015

Ever wanted healthy sushi without the hefty price tag? That is fresh and healthy and not stodgy? Here is a place inside QV shopping centre

Sushi Hub is a franchise which is from Sydney and is popular with Sydneysiders. Now they have come to Melbourne and already people are liking them. They are in QV outside of Woolworths.

Their focus is on healthy and fresh sushi and they make it daily. Everything except for the boxes is $3 or under.

Unlike Sushi Izu in Woolworths where everything is expensive and very bland and dry, these were good. I had the seaweed, salmon and Philadelphia cheese roll and vege rolls. I also had the mushroom inari and sushi sandwich.

I really liked all of them but the rice was a little bit on the sweetish side. That being said they also do salad meals.

I  enjoyed my sushi with my free coffee from the City of Melbourne. The City of Melbourne was promoting their more houses for the homeless strategy and they were doing that at the Town Hall. The coffee was by STREAT which look after the homeless.

Here they were promoting their draft strategy which we will write about in the coming months.

Students living in Illegal housing in Melbourne

This issue has been going on for some time and it is said to get worse as more new International students arrive later this month to start their studies

Students are still living in illegal housing in Melbourne according to the Age. Students have been told to pay $100- $160 a week for a tiny room and now the City of Melbourne is looking to punish the illegal landlords. They need a investigator to investigate this issue. Finding one takes time.

This is where there are 8 people per room. There are a lot of properties in the city which are illegal. A lot of these properties are advertised on social media sites such as Weibo and Gumtree.  One of them is QV. In the Age they show some shocking pictures of crowded places.

We are concerned for these students as they cannot study and live like this. The places that they live in are very cramped and International students do not know who they are paying and whether they will get the money back. Yes we know that housing is expensive and so is the desperation to find a house. But seriously campuses should be looking into providing some sort of scholarship for students who cannot afford. We know Melbourne Uni has some sort of a scholarship but what about the other unis.

With the iUse discount passes it is no excuse for the student not to consider living in the suburbs and search for the property properly by themselves. We really hope that the City of Melbourne does something about this issue sooner rather than later or otherwise there will be not many new arrivals.

One of the many places in which students live in

Nestpick: Our review

Nestpick is a European online accommodation business where students can pick their accommodation before arriving. Nestpick have branched out into the Australian market.

Students have a hard time finding housing in Melbourne's CBD. This was mentioned in a report which we will talk about in the near future.

Using the site
It is easy to use, but the only thing is the prices are in European dollars. But they will soon have a currency converter on their site. You pick a property, pay the deposit and then move in.

There is a map of all the suburbs and they will tell how far away it is from the city. This is good for students who have to study in the city

Student's worries with the online system
Online sites such as Gumtree.com and Flatmate finders often have scams and sometimes students have to deposit some money before coming to the house. There is no verification system.

Nestpick has a verification system. Nestpick have their own photographer who verifies the advertisements by visiting the sites and taking photos themselves. But there is still the worry of picking the right flatmates. But luckily though Nestpick has a form in which you fill out about what your ideal housemate would be and they match that.

Do visit Nestpick to find the right house that suits you and your budget.

Students live in dodgy housing in the CBD

Every year thousands of students live in the city and some of them don't know how dodgy it can be.

Image courtesy of sourceable.net

Last year there was a fire in a Docklands apartment and all the students had to evacuate. Luckily no one died as many of the students had gone home for holidays. The fire started at 2am and the damage bill was huge. Now there are places in the city which house up to 14 people in one apartment in any given night. The landlord or body corporate does not care and wants the student's money.

There have been many safety concerns over these types of housing. In November 2014 there was an apartment fire in Docklands. It was found that there was a combustible container filled with cigarettes in the balcony area of one apartment which was to blame for the apartment fire. People leave things out on the balconies not knowing that they will catch fire.


What now?
This year alone there were several warnings at AFIS info day about a working smoke alarm. But still there are lots of dodgy houses in the city. North Melbourne has some great places.

CISA has been advocating for cheaper and safe housing near the unis

Recently there has been a report saying that student housing near the universities tend to be a lot more expensive and that will be covered in another post.

Students guide to renting-part 3: the bond and your rights

Students this is our third and final part to renting a house. In this section we talk about your rights as a tenant

Inspecting the place
 You should inspect the place before moving in. You need to do the condition report and you should take photos of things that don't seem right to you. This way you can claim back all of your bond at the end of your tenancy.

The bond
Who should I give my bond money to?
The bond money is given to the landlord who then passes it to the Residential Tenancies board to keep until you move out. When you move out you will get this money back (that is if you haven't damaged anything).

Rent
You must pay your rent on time (unless you tell them) or the landlord can evict you. This can be weekly or monthly.

Notice
Usually 28 days notice is required if you want to move out and it has to be in writing. But if the landlord thinks that you have damaged the place to such an extent, not paying rent on time or being loud and acting illegally they can evict you straightaway.

Fixing things
The landlord should fix things when they are needed to be done and according to Consumer Affairs there are timeframes. If you need something to be fixed it should be requested in writing.

Your rights and what to watch out for
Scams
There are a lot of housing scams going on right now and International students are scammed a lot. These are where landlords ask for money and students pay and then they don't see the place.

Dodgy Landlords
These are the people takes your money and gives nothing back or bad house. You can ask the tenants union for help, but you need to resolve things with them first. Try and talk to your landlord but if you can't then go to the tenants union for advice. Similarly if the landlord wants to evict you and you have done nothing wrong then do seek the tenants union

Students guide to renting part 2: types of housing

In our three part housing series we talk about the types of housing in Melbourne. In the final part we will be talking about your rights as a tenant

Image courtesy of airbinb.com

Private rentals

You can expect to pay more money for this. Usually it comes unfurnished and bills are not included. This is one option if you want to live by yourself. The pros are that you don't have to share with anyone.

Some of the apartments come with a gym, a pool, a restaurant etc.

Student Accommodation

These are usually owned by the university and are near Universities mainly within walking distance. The only con is that it gets full just before the semester starts. It can be a little bit expensive but you usually walk to campus and sometimes meals are included. A small room is about $300-$400 per week but all the bills are included.

You will have to share the common areas with others.

Fun activities where you get to meet other students are included. Some of the o'week activities might attract a cost though.

Homestay

This is where you stay with an Australian family and learn about the customs in Australia. The pro is that you get to practice your English with the family and learn about Australian foods. It is usually $200-$300 per week and sometimes depending on your university it has a placement fee.

Shared housing
This is the most common type of accommodation for students and students share the cost of the bills (that is if they are not included in the rent). Rent is about $300-$1200 per month depending on where you live.

But you do need to be able to communicate with your flatmates and landlord and be all on the same level. And you do need to have some consideration for your flatmates or otherwise it will be hell for them and you.

Students guide to renting- some considerations. Part 1: research

Students have you ever thought about where you'll live during your stay in Melbourne?
There are many different types of rental properties depending on your budget. As students you would want to live in the right place that suits you and your budget. Here are some things to think about when renting.

How much am I willing to pay?
You need to think about the budget. How much can you afford to pay per month? Rent is charged at a monthly basis. In the city it is about $300-$1200, but you have the luxury of free travel. In the suburbs it is about $200-$600 but you would have to pay more for travel.

Don't forget to factor in the bond which is refundable when you move out.

How much am I willing to travel (time wise)?
Nowadays the price of zone 2 fare is the the same as zone 1 but travel could be anywhere from 10mins to one hour depending on where you live. If you live in the country then it would be about 1 hour to the city. But if your campus is in the country then it is best to reside there in a college hall or sharehouse.

Do I want to buy own furniture?
Most places are furnished but there are some that are unfurnished and it would say so in the ad. Buying your own furniture can be a hassle as you would have to sell it at the end of your degree if you are returning home.

Furniture can be expensive. But Ikea has reasonably priced furniture.

The end of the story is to try and choose a place which is fully furnished. Do look out for the phrase "fully furnished".

What about the flatmates?
Students you will be living with these people so it is best to find someone who you get along well with. And not your best friend or someone from your own country. You'll want to practice English with your flatmate.

You want someone who has the same interests and personality as you. You wouldn't want someone who fights every single day with their flatmate or who steals the food from the fridge and never gives back

Four types of student housing

 Students are you trying to find a place to stay in Melbourne? There are a few options for a place to live in Melbourne. Which option is best for you? We explain the four most common types of housing available.

1) Student hostel
There are many student hostels in Carlton and the city. There is also one in Hawthorn.  They are priced between $200-$500 per week for a tiny bedroom, a common room and some social activities. Most of the time you are being looked after and you can make friends easily as there are many events for you to go to.

One of the many events held inside your student hostel

2) Homestay
 Homestays can be arranged by the university and you should ask the university to arrange this for you. Do not look for it on Gumtree or Facebook as many people post scams up there. There is a placement fee for this and you usually do live far away from your uni.   You will have to travel daily depending on where your house is.

Water, gas and electricity are included but you may have to pay for telephone and internet.

The advantage is you get to practice speaking English and learn about Australian culture.

Costs: $235-$300 per week depending on your needs and where you live

3) Shared housing
This is cheaper for students as everything is provided but you will need to look for the right one. This option is not available for students under 18 years old as they have to be looked after in Australia.

But you do have some responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning the house. You might have to contribute to a kitty (as in everyone puts in a little bit of money aside in a box for essentials such as toilet cleaner etc)

And yes you will have to wash your own clothes as there is no mum or dad in your house

Cost: $200- $400 per week depending on where you live. Do ask your university adviser for some assistance in finding a place. And do remember that you have to see the place before you accept the offer and pay any money

4) Private accommodation
In reality it is really expensive and you have to buy your own furniture and appliances. It also costs a lot of money to set up all your electricity, gas, water and telephone.

Cost it varies. But do check Domain and Realestate.com.au as they are the only reliable sources

Students we hope that this helps you in finding a place to live.

Current students do you have any stories to tell about your housing situation?

Students living in illegal housing in Sydney

The housing was advertised on Gumtree for $95 a week in a Sydney suburb and yet they escaped unharmed after a factory fire. We explain this concerning story and why its important to not sign to housing on Gumtree.com

Last week the Sydney Morning Herald reported that students have been living in a "shipping container" in Alexandra in Sydney. The place belonged to a Mr Maasaki Imaeda who had been advertising a lot of rooms on Gumtree.com. This property housed about 15 Japanese and Korean students.

The old bus shelter where the students lived. Image courtesy of Sydney Morning Herald.

The accommodation was rundown and students cooked in an old bus and showered in the office blocks. The students were too afraid to speak up and were ashamed of mentioning this to their families back home as their houses back home were more comfortable.

Last week there was a fire at the factory and firefighters were surprised to see 11 students crawling out and a further 4 more to be rescued from the fire. It was later discovered that there was a fault in the wiring system all due to Mr Imaeda's electricity connections.

CISA is very concerned about this sort of accommodation. This sort of accommodation is also popping up in Melbourne as well and student union warn that this sort of housing is on the rise. Accommodation was one of the key concerns at the National conference which is held every year.

As for Mr Imaeda he was banned from visiting the site and he faces a fine of $1.1 million for breach of the Environmental act. But what about the residents? They have been left to fend for themselves, which is not fair.

As for the new and incoming students please do not pre book your room before you come to Melbourne. You need to see the room before you accept the accommodation.

Rent right- the app to assist you in knowing your rental rights

The logo of the app by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Students who are just new in Melbourne may want to check out this very important app about your rights. Right now and for a few weeks from now many students will be coming to Melbourne to start their studies and the important thing is that they need to understand the tenancy rules, rights and regulations. We explain this new app.

The app's menu by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

This is a new app by the Consumer Affairs Victoria, the government body that regulates the consumer law in Melbourne. A buyer is a consumer of a good or service.

Last year, to make information more accessible for students, Consumer Affairs have developed the app called Rent right.

The loading time is fast as it loads within seconds. It has a simple design to make it user friendly.

This app helps you to understand your rights as a consumer to help you to work out how much rent you need to pay. It also helps you to fill in the condition report. You can take photos of the place and upload it.

The renting a home and your rights is on that app, making it easy for you to access.

The app is really easy to use and all the information is in English.

There is an email section with all the different prompts and things to assist renters with things like non urgent repairs and urgent repairs. It explains your rights about these.

There is a calculator there to assist you in finding how much your rent will cost per month and per day.

The app is free to download on Google play and iTunes.

Lessons I learned in my first apartment- stories from students

 Moving into your own property can be very difficult and moving in with others is also very daunting as well.
The team shares a few stories and lessons learnt

The housing market- image courtesy of RMIT Newintstudents

Don't use my things- Sally Li
 I am living in a student apartment and on my first time I had to wash dishes I used detergent which I thought was shared. Little did I know it was one of my flatmates ones. She had a real go at me.

Image courtesy of RMIT Newintstudents

She kept on bullying me until I finally complained to the residential advisory and the management which then kicked her out of the property.

Lesson learnt: You do have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act

My flatmates were rough- Sharna of India
I came to Melbourne about five days ago and was desperate for a place as my hotel was very expensive and the manager wanted to kick me out for staying a long time.

The money that I had as a student

So I just accepted the first share house I saw on Facebook and moved in. I didn't even interview the other flatmates to find out what their lives were like. Every night I awoke at 3am when they came home drunk, loud and surly. And lots of banging.

So two weeks later I couldn't put up with them anymore and moved out.

Lesson learnt: Interview your flatmates, after all you are living with them and you have to get along.

My house was a death trap- Lina from China
I had moved in for two days and already the house was falling apart. There was no hot water and the electricity was faulty. The four of us that were living in that house had contacted the landlord but she did nothing. Then we called the electrician ourselves and he said it was a death trap.

Needless to say we all moved out

Lesson learnt: Don't just accept the first property that you see. Make sure that you see other ones as well.

Have you got any stories for us? Email at: newintstudents@gmail.com

Work out your accomodation before you come to Melbourne

"Do you know where you are staying?" asks a Immigration official at Melbourne Airport as you clear customs.
If the answer is no then clearly you have not done any research before you arrive and before you know it you might be sent back home with a three year exclusion period.
Or you might have to stay in a hotel which costs around $200-$600 per night and then it is race against time to find suitable accomodation.
Melbourne is still in a rental crisis where rent is about $700-$1500 per month depending on where you are living.
Think about how much you plan to spend on rent and think about how you will get the money. Jobs are really hard to find.
Most student apartment complexes cost $300-$400 per week and most of them include bills and some include meals.  For that price you would get one small room, maybe a common room, activities and the bills paid. With the laundry you'd go to a laundromat which can charge about $4 per load.
Homestay is another option. But that usually includes a $220 placement fee by RMIT and rent as well. But you get to live with an Australian family and improve your English. But you might have to live far away.
Share housing is popular with students too. But that might involve some travel to and from Uni.
For those that are lucky you might live in rent free accomodation with your family/relatives. Don't forget to factor in the travel to and from Uni as International students are not eligible for concession.

RMIT Village and the horror story from a student by Katherine

I had one student complain about the village and this is what they say:
"I'm an International student from China. I applied to live in the Village when I was in China and I got the place. I just looked on their website and saw these nice pictures of it... thinking that oh wow its huge and that I can afford the $300-$400 per week"
" But when I got here the Village was rather small and I had a rather small and I had to share with three others. I'm quite claustrophobic and I told them this via email when I applied for the place and they told me that there was a one bedroom apartment"
"Its good to live quite close to everything... but at the same time had to pay $300-$400 per week which is really expensive for such a small room. On top of that I had to pay for Internet and washing (@ $4 per load) which was really expensive. So I had to wash everything by hand".
" Its great to see some activities but not much is going on considering the money I spent on the room".
"I had to buy my own food. But I went to market which I lived close to which is fine and dandy"
" But when I wanted to cancel, I had to pay all of my fees until a new student was found. It was very costly for me. I tried to talk to the Management about it but they said "no you have to pay"".
" I'm living in Glenhuntly and was almost evicted from the current house. But my flatmate paid for me"
" I didn't know about Consumer affairs because that was never mentioned at the start of the year. I didn't know that I could go to them for help".
"Students if I were you... I'd make sure that I didn't terminate the contract and make sure that you understood your rights living in Melbourne and paying rent. And make sure that the village doesn;'t do what it did to me".

A little birdy told me that the Village rent is just going to get more expensive at the start of next year and that it will be really full at the beginning. So don't wait book now. Or if you want meals included then you could stay at one of Melbourne Uni's places.

don't live there

http://www.melbournetimesweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/cockroaches-crawl-over-her-boys-at-night/2151057.aspx
All students should read this article and always watch out for cockroaches when they first inspect their home. You don't have to accept it if it does have insects in it.

watch out for mice

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mice-invading-homes-in-western-suburbs-20110430-1e29w.html. Hey watch out for mice and don't live there if there are any mice about.