Most international and interstate students book their accommodation before they arrive in Australia. That's normal, and it's how a large share of student housing is arranged. It does mean the listing is doing the work an in-person visit would usually do, so it's worth knowing what to look at and what to ask.
Before you book
Look at every photo, and notice what isn't shown. A room with no photo of the window, the bathroom, or the shared kitchen isn't necessarily hiding something, but it's worth asking about. Ask for photos of anything the listing doesn't show.
Ask for a video walkthrough. You can message the landlord through Quni and ask for a short video of the room and the shared spaces. Many landlords are happy to record one on their phone. Some will offer a live video call instead, so you can ask questions as you go. Landlords aren't required to provide either, but asking is free and the response tells you something.
Check the things photos don't capture. Natural light at different times of day. Noise from the street or from housemates. Phone reception. How far the walk to the bus or train actually is. Who else lives there and how the shared spaces work in practice.
Ask direct questions in writing. Use Quni's messaging rather than moving to a private channel — that way there's a record of what you were told. Good questions: What's included in the rent? What furniture comes with the room? Is there anything about the property I should know that isn't in the listing? When was the room last occupied?
Check the address and the surrounds yourself. Street view and a map will tell you what's actually nearby, how far it really is to campus, and what the street looks like.
What you're agreeing to when you book
When you book, you confirm you've had the chance to review the listing and ask questions, and that you're going ahead on that basis. That's a record of what you saw — not a waiver of anything. This acknowledgment doesn't limit any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law if a listing is inaccurate or misleading.
Quni stores a snapshot of the listing as it appeared when you booked, so there's an accurate record of what was advertised.
When you arrive
Check the property against the listing in the first few days. Walk through it with the listing open. Note anything that doesn't match, and photograph it with the date visible.
Go through the condition report carefully if you're given one. Most agreements involve a report describing the state of the property at the start — what it covers and when it's due back varies depending on the type of agreement you have and the state you're in, so check your agreement and the report itself. Where you get one, go through it room by room in person and write down anything that doesn't match: marks, damage, things that don't work. Take your own dated photos as well.
This matters more than people expect. Where a report exists, it's what the condition of the property is measured against at the end of your stay. Something already damaged that you didn't record can end up treated as your damage later. If you're given a deadline to return it with comments, don't let it lapse.
If something doesn't match the listing, raise it in writing straight away. Message the landlord through Quni and contact us at hello@quni.com.au, with photos. Doing it in writing and early keeps the record clear from the start of your stay.
Know where to go for help. Each state has a body that provides free information about renting — NSW Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs Victoria, and the Residential Tenancies Authority in Queensland. Each also has a tribunal that hears disputes: NCAT, VCAT and QCAT respectively.
Which of these applies to you depends on the kind of agreement you signed. If you're renting a room in a home where the owner or another resident also lives, you may be a boarder or lodger rather than a tenant, and different rules apply — including whether a condition report is required and which body handles a dispute. Your agreement will say which arrangement you're in. If you're not sure, ask us or contact the relevant state body, and they'll point you to the right process.