lam’s take

With the impending arrival of our bub, hubby and I had been on a look out for a bigger place.  Not that this current flat is not big enough for the first addition to our family, but with its increasing rent as well, we thought we’d find a place that’s worth its rental price. 

Some weeks ago, we finally found one place which seemed to have suited all our criteria– a 3rd bedroom, piece of backyard, carport, laundry facilities, walking distance to my work (as I don’t drive), affordability (cheap actually for this area and the house features too), not carpeted althroughout, close to transport, ducted heating, etc.  Upon submitting our application forms with the other required documents, we were asked by the receptionist if we had already filed our 28 days’ notice to the our current rental agency.  (While we thought this was quite an odd question (mostly from her position), we realised that this real estate agency was a sister (or a spin-off?) company of the agency we’re currently under.) 

The same question was thrown to of us by the property manager anyway.  So, this time I was able to return a query.  Unknowing one’s chances of certainly getting a place, what would happen if he/she has already given his/her 28 days’ notice and eventually not get approved for the property applied for?  Can the notice be cancelled?  The property manager said that 1-week extensions can be requested.  But get this:  only certain number of extensions can be given.  

So, then again, what will happen if, after so many extensions, one couldn’t find a place to move in to?  No answer.  So maybe, only God knows.

The property manager explained further that without filing a 28 days’ notice, we ”understand” that we would be paying rent for this current flat and the other property should our application for it be approved.  While that’s obviously an inevitable risk for us, we just wondered whether this would have been an issue or not, if it were a totally different– and unattached– company.  

But really, given how increasingly competitive applications of this kind have become lately, when would be the best time for us to give 28 days’ notice?  And out of practicality, shouldn’t we be doing so unless we’re sure of having a new roof above our heads?