CDA ColivingWhat to Ask Before You Move In
An inspection moves fast. These are the questions worth asking before you sign, with our answers to the ones people ask most.
The room
Is bedding provided?
No, and this is the one people forget. The room comes with a bed frame, a mattress with its protector, a wardrobe, a desk and a chair. Sheets, a doona, pillows and towels are yours to bring. We used to provide bedding. Ask us about it one day if you want the full story.
Arriving on a late flight with no sheets is a rough first night. Kmart and IKEA are the usual rescue.
Where do I do my washing, and is there a dryer?
Most properties have a washing machine, and at one or two houses it sits next door or is shared with the neighbours. The appliances included are the ones you saw at your inspection, so check them on the day. Any doubts, ask our Occupant Support team.
Dryers are not provided as standard. Where one is available it is a paid service, because of what it costs to run. Otherwise your property has a covered drying area, and it is worth asking to see it at the inspection.
Is this a twin or shared room?
A few properties have twin rooms. They're rented as a pair: both beds taken at the same time, on two separate agreements, and both occupants move in and out together. We don't rent a single bed in a twin room, unless there are special circumstances.
What comes with the room?
A furnished room is a bed frame, mattress, mattress protector, wardrobe, desk and chair. What you saw at the inspection is what you get. Sheets, a doona, pillows and towels are personal items, so those are yours to bring.
The house
What's the cleaning policy here?
A cleaner may be provided at your property. It depends on the house and can change depending on how many people live there, so ask us and we'll confirm it in writing. Cleaners never clean bedrooms or wash dishes. We also arrange a deep clean of every property twice a year.
More on how the house shares the day to day in Living at CDA.
Who else lives here?
You'll share the house with other people. We don't share housemates' personal details, the same way we protect yours. If it matters whether the house is quiet or how the kitchen gets used, ask us and we'll give you a general picture.
Can I bring a heater or an air conditioner?
Ask before you buy. Only pedestal fans and oil-column heaters are permitted, because anything else is a fire risk in a shared house. Other appliances get removed. Photos of what's allowed are in your agreement.
What's included in the rent?
Electricity, gas, water and Wi-Fi, at reasonable use. The Wi-Fi comes from an outside provider, so we can't promise a speed or a constant connection. What counts as reasonable use is set out in your agreement.
The agreement
Demand is high and rooms move fast. A room you inspected but didn't reserve may already be taken. We have other locations available, so always check with your sales specialist that the room is still free before paying anything. A room is only held once payment is received.
What kind of agreement am I signing?
We rent both rooms and whole properties, and the two come under different laws. Which one you sign depends entirely on what you're renting.
| Renting a room in a shared house | Renting a whole studio, unit or house | |
|---|---|---|
| You sign | An Occupancy Agreement | A Residential Tenancy Agreement |
| What you get | Your own bedroom, plus shared use of the kitchen, bathrooms and living areas | The entire property, exclusively yours |
| Deposit | Maximum 2 weeks, returned within 14 days of departure (longer over the 15 Dec to 14 Jan shutdown) | Up to 4 weeks |
| Rent increases | 4 weeks' written notice of any increase to your occupancy fee | At least 60 days' written notice, and only once in any 12 months |
| Disputes | NCAT, the NSW tribunal | NCAT, the NSW tribunal |
Ask your sales specialist which one applies to the property you're looking at, and ask for a copy of the agreement to read before you sign.
How long is my term, and can I choose it?
Our minimum stay is usually 3 months for rooms, 6 months for studios and 12 months for whole houses. Shorter stays may be possible and can cost extra, so ask your sales specialist. Within that, the term is negotiable. If you need a particular term to fit your plans, agree it with your sales specialist before you sign.
What do I need to provide?
- ID, once you've been offered the room. We don't ask for it at the inspection. The name on it becomes the name on your agreement
- Proof of your right to live in Australia (your visa)
- Holding deposit or first week's rent, and the receipt. How a holding deposit works
- Rental references may be requested
We only ask for documents from the person offered the room, and only to confirm who you are and put the right legal name on your agreement. We don't keep them longer than needed and never share them with other occupants. Want the detail? Email hello@cdacoliving.com and we'll send you our privacy policy.
What if I leave early, or the house isn't right?
Leaving early means a break fee, which shrinks the further through your term you are. Leaving without four weeks' notice means paying for the notice period. If you do both, you're charged the greater of the two, never both. A replacement, screened by us, can save you the break fee. The Move-Out Guide has calculators.
And before you decide to leave, talk to our retention team. We usually have options in other locations: another room, another house, sometimes another city. Moving within CDA is often a better outcome for you than paying a break fee.
Before you leave the inspection
A quick checklist
- Check the bedroom door. Privacy lock, or key lock?
- Get the important things in writing: your term, your move-in date and the amounts you'll pay.
- Confirm the room is still available before transferring any money.
Anything you're not sure about, ask the sales specialist showing you the property. They're there to answer it, and no question is too small. You can ask during or after the inspection, or email hello@cdacoliving.com. Once you accept the room, you accept it in the condition you saw it.
Most rooms have a privacy lock instead: it locks from the inside, with no key to lock it when you go out. That's a fire-safety rule, so every door opens straight away in an emergency. The security is at the front door, with a digital code only current occupants have. Some rooms do have a keyed door; if that matters to you, tell us before you sign.