In his home region of the Central Coast, located just a short drive north of Sydney in New South Wales, real estate agent and Brand Property principal Andre Kubecka said the current vacancy rate is sitting at 0.7 of a percentage point — the lowest it has been in years, which is fueling an ultra-competitive rental market for would-be tenants.

It’s a similar story in regional areas Australia-wide, as city dwellers flock from high-density areas in search of a more affordable lifestyle now that working from home is in many cases the norm.

Given the increasingly fierce competition for rentals across a number of regions, Mr Kubecka has emphasised the importance of individuals, couples and families who are looking to rent being punctual to open homes, presenting well and simply not giving up.

To help out those who are looking to move into a new rental property, he’s provided his top five tips for a winning rental application:

1. Be prepared

Ask your property manager in advance about any paperwork you may need and come to the open house with all the supporting documents.

According to Mr Kubecka, “if you are organised, you’re already one step ahead of the competition”.

Documentation usually includes proof of income, reference letters, valid identification, a rental ledger, application form and cover letter.

2. Have your references ready

The best type of document you can provide is proof that you have a good rental history.

If you’ve rented before, Mr Kubecka recommends asking your previous property manager for a written reference.

“If it’s your first time renting, you can provide a reference from your current employer, co-workers or even school teachers,” he said.

3. Make a good impression

According to the real estate principal, open houses are stressful enough as it is.

“If you turn up late, you’re not going to be first in line to impress your agent,” he said.

“Speak openly, smile and dress well — first impressions count!”

4. Follow up with the agent

From Mr Kubecka’s perspective, it doesn’t hurt to check in and politely ask for an update on your application.

He said that “if you come across interested, it could make you stand out a bit from the other contenders”.

5. Don’t hesitate!

If an offer is made, you’re probably going to want to accept it quickly, Mr Kubecka advised.

It’s especially so in a competitive rental environment, where any delay in acceptance could mean you miss out on the property.