"How much rent should I charge for my house?" is a question asked by every landlord for every property. While there are some factors you can take as indicators of the rental value of your home, there are many aspects you won't be able to pull from an online search or rental value report. Experience in interpreting the history and trajectory of the rental market in your suburb is key - and understanding exactly where your home fits into the mix. 

It can feel like a never-ending challenge to save for a house deposit while renting. The good news is that with some planning, follow-through and time, it can happen. 

Many renters find that the hardest part is knowing where to start. After all, there are countless experts, blogs, and articles in the media describing ways of saving more, spending less, and tracking your progress. It's not that renters are short of ideas. The challenge is choosing where to start in a way that makes a real difference that you can see quickly.

With this in mind, here is our shortlist of recommendations most relevant for renters wishing to save for a home deposit. 

​Landlords and tenants alike will be familiar with routine rental inspections. From the landlord's perspective, these inspections are part of the commitment made by a property manager in promising to look after their investment. It provides a scheduled opportunity to review and document the state of the property, ensure it is being looked after by the tenant, and to address any issues which may be presented.

From the tenant's perspective, these inspections are often a good excuse to tidy up a little more than usual (let's be honest!), and show the level of care you have for the property you're renting. 

Most property managers commit to completing three or four property inspections per year. In many cases, the date of the first inspection is agreed at the time of the tenant signing the lease. 

In the course of a year however, it can slip the mind of the landlord that these inspections should be taking place. However, this is not the landlord's responsibility, it is the responsibility of the property manager. 

Local Agent Finder has been ramping up its promotion in recent times, particularly through increased TV advertising. The site promises to be "Australia’s leading real estate agent comparison service, and the only place you’ll find real estate agent fees". 

From the perspective of a home owner looking to sell a property, or a current or prospective landlord wishing to rent their property, the service seems compelling. 

However, what is not transparent from the excitement of the marketing is just how many agencies are using the service in your area. Or more importantly, how many agencies are NOT listing themselves on the service.