What should we be looking for in a rental apartment in Perth, Australia?

Q: My partner and I are moving to Perth early next year. We will be rental-hunting on arrival (and prior to arrival by internet). I am wondering what things we need to look out for, what we should be certain to have (airconditioning? pool?) and basically how to spot a good apartment. I say apartment because we have rented a house on a large property before and discovered we are not gardeners in the slightest. The less grass and gardens the better. Cheers :) Yes, that is what I would like to know, what do we NEED to look for in an apartment. Some people living in Perth might say airconditioning is a necessity, for all I know. That is why I am asking. Some might say fly screens. Some might say... you get the picture. I am looking for useful answers. Thanks anyway. I guess Im wanting suggestions of common pitfalls of apartments over there, I've never lived in an apartment before. So viewpoints from those in the know would be appreciated. Cheers :)

A: I answered re: suburbs on your other post... but in regards to this one - *Look into parking - does the apartment have room for one or more cars? is it secured/locked parking? is it undercover? - if there is no parking, then what is the street parking like? if you end up living right within Fremantle city this is REALLY important as parking is expensive and the rangers there love handing out fines *Try get an apartment or townhouse with some outdoor area nice to sit in, and vbig enough for a BBQ. Perth has the most beautiful warm summer evenings, and you will enjoy sitting outside with a glass of wine, or eating dinner outside. Best of all is room big enough for a BBQ and table for 4-6. *You probably wont find a pool in apartments in Fremantle, they are often in converted warehouses or above office/restaurant space. Don't get a place with a pool if you have to take care of maintenance, its way too much effort. Freo has a good public swimming pool anyway, and the beach nearby is nice. *Fly screen is really important! In the apartment I own (but no longer live in) in East Perth, the main window of the living room had no fly screen, which was odd, but meant I really couldn't leave the window open. We've got gorgeous weatehr in Perth, but also a pretty big insect population - a lot of flies and mozzies. *Reverse cycle aircon, OR just cooling aircon and a gas bayonet for a gas heater. aircon is definitely required in summer, and winter nights can get chilly as houses usually aren't insulated or heated all that well. *avoid places with east-facing windows in the master bedroom, you'll roast in summer. North facing windows in main living rooms are always nice, according to my dear mother! *check power points, phone outlets and TV antenna points - sometimes places have a real shortage of these and it can become quite a nuisance! *location, location, location for you - if you're relying on a bus to Nedlands! Oh and if either of you have hayfever just have a look at the trees/flowers around the place before signing a lease. Perth is notoriously bad for hayfever sufferers, and we have many native plants that are just dreadful for those who are pollen sensitive! All the best!!

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