Australia

How will declining international student numbers affect the rental market

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With recent reports of international student numbers dwindling by as much as 40% it will be interesting to see how this affects the tight rental market and rental values. The result could be less income for landlords but better value for international students (and students generally) who are in Australia and also for low income earners.

The value of international students to the Australian economy:

The international student industry pumps $3.8 billion dollars into the economy each year. However recent changes to the Skilled Occupation List that make it harder for students to gain permanent residency coupled with recent violence against international students has seen many potential university attendees turning to the USA and other countries for their study needs. The International Education Association is predicting a fall of over 100,000 international students in the next year with more reductions to follow which will have obvious flow on effects for the economy and the rental housing market.

The impact of fewer international students on the rental property market:

For landlords this is may not be good news. With demand for rental properties still very high, landlords can charge a premium for affordable housing near universities. Students will go to great lengths to secure these, so landlords currently have the upper hand. This may however all change with demand sure to decrease in the coming year. I have heard first hand from a higher education institution that some landlords are finding it difficult to fill bedsits that were once highly sort after.

For current and future international students the new Australian legislations and perceived danger of violence could provide some relief for cash strapped students. The Age recently ran an article about foreign students who were forced to live 10 to a room and sleep in shifts, in order to afford their accommodation. Less demand may mean things become more affordable for them.

Non-international students and people looking for affordable housing may also benefit from the decreased demand.

If, as some experts predict, even more reductions in international student numbers occur Australia wide, it will be interesting to see the onflow effect to the property market as a whole. However with the second term in full swing we will probably not be able to see the true impact on the market until 2011.

Car Rental Charges Explained By Industry Insider…

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Prevent additional credit card charges on car rental.

First of all, you must understand how the total price you pay is calculated. Everything starts with the daily base rate this is the rate you pay for the daily use of the car excluding all other charges. It doesnt mean that this is the price you pay!

Instead, you may find your total bill is double of that of the base rate. Extra mandatory charges like GST, airport location surcharges, administration fees, vehicle registration fees are all part of the total bill given to you at the rental counter. I cant stress enough the importance of getting a bill at the end of your rental, but this is another story. So, by the time all the extra charges are added onto your bill, you may find yourself paying almost double that seductive base rate.

To give you an example, a friend of mine rented a car in Australia with a base rate around $177 for four days. The final total? Including a vehicle registration fee, admin fee, airport location surcharge, a surcharge for not filling the gas tank, and a GST on top of all those other charges, my friend paid about $358 – more than a 100 percent increase over the base rate.

So how can you avoid nasty surprises? Below you can find a list of standard surcharges you’re most likely to find at most car rental locations in Australia, as well as some tips for your next trip to the car rental counter.

Airport and GST Surcharges

The majority of car rental transactions happen at the airports around the country. Airport surcharge is something that car rental supplier has no control over and it varies considerably from one airport to another. Therefore, when you pick the car up from the airport you should expect to pay between 3 and 18 percent extra on top of other charges. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid paying GST, which can will add 10 percent. However, if your car rental bill amounts to over $300 and you leave the country within 30 days after returning the car, you may claim GST component of your car rental at the airport.

However, you can avoid the airport charges – such as airport location surcharge fees by picking up and dropping off your car at an off-airport location. Be sure to weigh the possible inconvenience and the price of any additional transportation against the concession fees charged by the airport location – which can be between 3 and 18 percent of your total price.

The bottom line? If you don’t want to pay the airport location surcharge, check out your rental options downtown.

Insurance

Your rental car comes with a standard insurance liability of between $2900 and $3300 depending on a car rental supplier. This liability can be further reduced by paying an extra daily charge of between $25 and $27. However, since the price of insurance is almost half of what you pay for you car, I recommend that you check your credit card/travel/car insurance to make sure it doesnt cover you in a rental car.

Gasoline Charges

For your convenience most car rental companies provide cars with a full tank of fuel, however, be assured that if you dont return the car with a full tank you will pay a higher price for petrol used to fill up the empty tank. However, most car rental companies now offer the option of purchasing a full tank of gas when you first take the car, enabling you to return the car with as much or as little fuel as you wish.

Please note that there is no refund for unused fuel, so its likely youll be paying a little extra for the convenience of skipping the trip to the gas station.

Drop-Off Charges

An extra fee is usually charged if a car is returned to a different location than where it was picked up. This fee varies by location; in some instances there is no charge, while you could pay $300 or more for cross-country drop-offs. However, some companies do not require a charge when dropping off in-state at many Queensland and New South Wales locations.

The 24-Hour Clock

Car rental industry operates on a 24-hour clock rate. However, there is also a 59-minute grace period before hourly charges apply. To give you an example, if you rent a car at 12:00pm on Tuesday and return it by 12:59pm on Wednesday, you will be charged for one day only. However, if you return the car after 27 hours (in this case after 15:00) you’ll then be charged for the full extra day. Hourly charges apply between 25-27 hours.

Early Returns

When you rent a car for a particular number of days, you sign a sale contract for that period. So, just like with any other contracts out there, if you break your contract you must pay cancellation fees. Since, car rental companies set their rates based on the rental period, the longer you keep the car the cheaper the daily base rate. If you managed to reserve a car for 7 days using one of these hot weekly specials and then decide to bring the car two days earlier, you might get charged at a default daily rate and your total car rental charge for 5 days might end up costing you more than if you kept the car for 7 days. Therefore, please dont forget to ask a car rental agent if you pay different daily rate for earlier returns.

Mileage

Most car rental companies offer unlimited mileage in metropolitan areas, including all major capital cities (with an exception of Northern Territory) and some tourist destinations. I would suggest checking your contract prior to signing it as it clearly displays whether you get unlimited kilometres or not. Keep in mind though that smaller car rental companies usually charge mileage if you exceed a given daily km quota. In addition some “hot” special rates may not include unlimited mileage, so be sure to check before you sign a rental agreement.

Vehicle Registration Fees

Varying Rates and Peak Season Surcharges

Here is a tip that will potentially can save you hundreds of dollars. Book in advance!
Rental car companies’ rates vary a great deal from city to city, and sometimes even within the same city. Make sure to shop around. Be aware that you may pay a specific surcharge for traveling at a “peak” time, e.g. School and Public Holidays, Major events in your city, etc.

Age Penalties

Due to the insurance limitations, if you’re under 25, you may have to pay an additional fee, usually about $25 per day. Those companies who will rent to drivers under 21 often charge much steeper surcharges. Internationally, you’ll not only see penalties for underage drivers but also for older ones — those over 70 may have to pay extra (if they’re able to rent at all).

Additional Drivers

Adding more than one driver to your rental agreement often carries a surcharge, anywhere between $7 and $25 per day. Note that some companies, like Avis and Budget, will allow the renter’s spouse or life partner to drive the vehicle for no extra charge — so if both partners are planning to take the wheel, consider renting from one of these providers.

Frequent Flier Fees

Car rental companies often charge a small fee when you request frequent flier miles for your rental. The fee varies by airline, and can range anywhere from a few cents to $2 a day.

Extras

There may also be additional charges for things you had not considered, like infant and child seat rentals, roof racks and other extras. These could run you anywhere from $5 to $25 or more per day, depending on where you rent.

All about Rental Equipment Getting From Rental Specials

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There are various reasons the people have to rent an appliance from the Mr Rent or other rental specials portals. This is all to meet the home requirement for a while. In case you are going for the rental equipment option, here’re the utmost tips on how to make it out.

The foremost step is the fact that important determination connected with just what you are exactly needed. Every appliance holds its individual essence. If you have no need for the exact performance it works, you don’t require in order to rent the item ever again as compared to you must purchase it. You have to be prepared to have a complete familiarity with anything like rental specials that you really want and also anything you really need before you will start looking for it on the internet and shops.

There are many online rental equipment franchises such as Mr Rent that let you rent the appliance on your needs. It could be long-term or short term. The rental specials franchises offer you everything that you need in day-to-day life, for example, music stereos, Air conditioners, freezers, computers, washing machines, Dishwashers, DVD players and VCRs, and almost every electronics item which possible you can hire.

Appliances are offered on a variety of rates according to the length of the rental terms as well as the appliance getting hired. A premium rental specials changes in line with the period with hiring a model of the appliance as well as a form. It depends upon the applicant rent service provider. You might have to pay on the monthly basis, and it could be weekly too then it comes to the short term rental equipment.

For example, if you visit Mr Rent for the rental equipment requirements, youll find the various categories… namely kitchen appliance, home entertainment, laundry appliances, rent gaming consoles, rent climate control, office appliances, and fitness appliances. So now, you would have got an idea that what you can get from the Internet to meet your renting need. If you will search online, you will find several companies that offer rent service on its terms and conditions. More or less, youll find famous appliance rental specials outlets around your place. One of the popular renting service providers is Mr Rent that offers franchises to many outlets in Australia and other countries. Such companies have everything that you can hire, which is most likely to be very useful in household.

The reason could be anything, but the fact is that whenever you need to rental equipment service, the companies like Mr Rent turns to be very helpful. And when then the appliance carried on our prospects and household work, it seems the right investment.

Benefits of Renting College Textbooks from Online Book Rental Stores

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Online book rental services are now a well known service among college and university students. More and more students are now adopting the book rental option. They prefer renting over purchasing books due to heavy savings. However, cost saving is not the only benefit of renting college textbooks online. There are several other benefits too. This article discusses some of the salient benefits of renting college textbooks from online book rental stores.

Environment Friendly One of the most important benefits of renting books is environment friendliness. By renting textbooks rather than purchasing it, students can contribute to the environment. One single book is used by many students with every passing semester, reducing the need of reprint to some extent. It means less use of paper, less cutting of trees, which ultimately helps environment.

Easy Ordering Online book rental service providers offer easy ordering system. Book search option offered by them provides the facility to search books by Title, Author Name or ISBN, so finding books is easy. Students no longer need to spend their precious time in moving from one book store to another to find their subjects textbooks. After finding their preferred book, students can order them by paying the required rental amount and the books get delivered to their doorstep within pre specified time.

Cost Saving Affordability is the most important reason behind the popularity of online book rental services. Everyone wants to save some money, and for students money is more important as they have no source of income apart from scholarships or the limited money sent by parents. In such case, students prefer to save some money by renting their university textbooks from online book rental stores.

Referral Program Benefits Students can also earn some money through the referral program offered by some of the best online book rental service providers. By referring other students in their university campus, students can help them in saving money and in return they will be rewarded in cash, bonuses or prizes by the online book rental stores.

In summary, online book rental services are of several benefits to university students. They can save money and time by renting textbooks and also earn some money by referring others. So, if you are a student studying in Australia, try the services of online book rental stores and enjoy the enormous benefits.

About the Author: The author is associated with Book Hero. Book Hero is an Online book rental service provider offering college and university textbook for rent in Australia. They offer a cost effective way of getting textbooks for a wide array of subjects.

Tips to Keep Away from Car Rental, Perth, WA Ripoffs

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There are many people who seek out adventure out of the blue. Travelling could be a hobby or a relaxing event for individuals, couples, and families who want to get away from the metropolis. When you get in the flight terminal of Perth, Australia, which is a common destination spot for travellers, there are numerous services which you are able to lease as a method of transportation such as taxis and car rental. Perth, WA has several automobile rental businesses in the airport for travellers. In spite of the availability of those automobiles for lease businesses, you ought to be careful in picking the company of your choice.

No matter where you might be, there will often be individuals willing and ready to manipulate a scenario you might be in. Renting a automobile is also 1 scenario you can get scammed by shady automobile rental businesses. Here are a few reminders on how you can steer clear of rental car Perth scams.

1.Searching on the internet for reliable and honest automobile rental companies should be your homework just before you hire cars. Perth has numerous automobile rental companies which should have good reviews over various community forums on the internet. Whenever you search for automobile rental businesses, you will also encounter unfavorable remarks and blog content articles about some companies by their previous consumers.

Oftentimes, they’ll write about their experience with the company and inform individuals with the scam that they did so that other individuals would not fall for their deceptiveness. This type of information will help you filter the good ones through the bad, making it simpler for you personally to pick among the field of companies.

2.When you’ve discovered a good company, don’t loosen up. Just to be sure, take pictures of the automobile before and right after you utilize it. Whenever you return the automobile, ask a staff to check the automobile to make sure it’s in good condition. The pictures needs to have time and date to become correct. If you have incurred any damage on the automobile, also take photos of it to present the real extent of the damage you’ve made.

3.Go through any paper they will give you, specifically the rental agreement form from a company of car rental. Perth, WA paperwork from businesses should consist of a listing or particulars of one’s rental terms. The form must possess a checklist of the current damages of the automobile, such as dents with their descriptions.

4.Keep your self aware and careful. Don’t fall for “too good to be true” bargains and deals. More often than not, automobiles that are priced at low rates will cost you more in the long run since they’re aged automobiles with damages from inside and out or your car rental. Perth, WA delivers numerous sensible priced automobiles combined with top quality.

5.Some journey insurance coverage businesses supply cover for automobile rentals. Make certain you contact your personal travel insurance coverage company prior to renting a automobile. They’ve provisions which may save you cash just in case some thing goes wrong.

Travelling can both be planned or spontaneous. You will find other issues, nevertheless, that should not be spontaneous or unplanned. Travelling around without having travel insurance coverage might not be a good thought, specifically when you are preparing to go to other counties. The same is true when selecting a rental car Perth company. Doing a little research, as well as looking for automobile rental businesses on the internet, isn’t a bad idea whenever you wish to keep your travelling experience a pleasure.