Tips & Best Practices

Check 5–10 similar listings in your suburb before setting your rent. Overpriced listings get ignored; a fair price gets enquiries within days. Search by bedroom count, suburb, and furnishing level.

Fix leaking taps, replace broken light bulbs, and deep-clean before taking photos. Clutter-free spaces photograph significantly better and signal that the property is well-maintained.

Take photos between 9 AM and 2 PM with curtains open. Bright rooms look larger and more welcoming. Shoot from corners to maximise the sense of space. Avoid using flash — it flattens the room.

State the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, included utilities (water, electricity, internet), parking, and any house rules (pets, cooking smells, guests). Transparency reduces wasted viewings.

Ask for proof of employment or income and at least one reference from a previous landlord. A short phone call with the reference is worth more than a written letter. Trust your instincts.

Tenants searching on Roja Scout are often viewing multiple listings simultaneously. Responding within a few hours — not days — significantly improves your chances of securing a good tenant.

High-quality images are your most effective marketing asset. A professional shoot for a mid-range property typically pays for itself in reduced days-on-market. Include exterior, interior, and lifestyle shots.

Lead with the most compelling detail (view, location, finishes), then list specifications. Avoid generic filler phrases. Mention the suburb's proximity to schools, transport, and amenities — these are real decision drivers.

Accounts with faster average response times appear as more trustworthy to prospective clients. Aim to reply to all messages within 2 hours during business hours. Enable notifications on the mobile app.

Deactivate listings as soon as properties are let or sold. Stale listings damage your credibility and waste both your time and enquirers' time. Regular refreshes also keep your listings visible in search results.

Upload your agency logo, provide a business description, and complete identity verification. Verified profiles with full information consistently outperform incomplete profiles in enquiry volume.

Roja Scout Pro listings appear at the top of relevant search results and carry a featured badge. For high-value properties or competitive markets, the uplift in views makes it worthwhile.

Name each major piece: bed size, sofa type, dining table capacity, desk, wardrobe. Renters searching for furnished places have specific needs — a complete inventory prevents mismatched expectations.

Show the hob, oven, fridge, microwave, and washing machine separately. For professionals and students, a functional kitchen is a primary requirement. Make it visible and clear in your listing.

State clearly whether water, electricity, and internet are included in the listed price. If utilities are capped or shared, explain this in the description. Ambiguity here leads to disputes after move-in.

Mention the nearest commuter rank, bus stop, or distance to key employers and universities. For students and travelling professionals, proximity to transport is often more important than the property itself.

Use precise dates (e.g. "Available 15 April – 31 July") rather than vague terms. Searchers looking for temporary housing often have fixed deadlines — clear dates prevent wasted enquiries on both sides.

Test the WiFi speed and share it in the listing. Confirm that bedding, towels, cooking basics, and cleaning supplies are stocked before the first guest arrives. Short-stay guests expect a hotel-like standard of readiness.

Prepare a digital welcome guide covering entry codes, appliance instructions, rubbish collection days, and your contact number. Send it before arrival. Minimal friction at check-in builds goodwill immediately.

Short stays often have non-standard deposit structures. Be explicit: the amount, the conditions for deductions, and the timeline for return. Put it in writing before accepting payment to avoid disputes on departure.

State your rules on visitors, noise curfews, smoking, and pets in the listing itself — not just after booking. Guests who disagree with the rules will self-select out, saving you difficult conversations later.

Update your availability calendar promptly after each stay ends or a new booking is confirmed. Enquiries for unavailable dates are frustrating for both parties and reflect poorly on your responsiveness rating.