Five reasons why I'll happily return to renting

Returning to renting after owning a home is not often a celebrated change. Others tend to see it as a backwards step, most likely the result of bad fortune or bad management.

For those involved, it can be a wake-up call to how the “other half” live. This is the experience of Sofia Godwin, whose return to renting left her feeling like a second class citizen.

Like Sofia, I have recently returned to renting after a decade of mortgage paying. My decision was similarly prompted by an interstate move. Where we differ is our experience – mine has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are five reasons  I am relishing, rather than ruing, my return to tenant-hood.

1.
No home improvement projects

It’s a rare house that isn’t in need of improvement. Most have maintenance jobs that beg for attention.

As a mortgagee, I was forever trying to find time (and money) for these projects and many ‘spare’ weekends were spent scurrying between the hardware shop and the house. Now, as a renter, I’m enjoying taking my foot off the project pedal.

I’m more available to my family and have more time to allocate to relaxing. I particularly enjoyed Easter this year, as previously this four-day  weekend was the perfect time to tackle bigger jobs. This year, I got out the fishing tackle instead.

2.
Outsource maintenance without the bill

What a joy  when the dishwasher broke down to simply ring the landlord. I was happy that I didn’t even have to decide whether to ignore the problem, attempt a repair myself or contact a tradie. I was even happier when I didn’t have to pay the tradie’s bill.

3.
Relaxed standards

When my house was mine, I felt pressure to make it look good. It was always tempting to update or improve furniture and furnishings.

Now I’m renting, I’m more relaxed. As the whole house is no longer a direct reflection of my taste or attention to detail, I’m happier to have mismatching furniture and cheap furnishings.

4.
Good-enough gardening

I enjoy a spot of gardening. I even don’t mind weeding. In my own house, I got caught up making the garden look good. I found it hard to simply enjoy my outdoor space, without feeling the need to tackle the weeds or plan the next planting.

In my rental property, I can accept that the garden is good enough. I’ve planted some vegies, I water plants that really need it, and I weed when I’m in the mood. I’m pleasantly unstressed about the weeds in the lawn or the fact that the garden has the potential to be nicer than it is now.

5.
Freedom without commitment

My decision to rent this year was based on trying life in a different part of Australia without having to make a major commitment. Renting is giving me the chance to literally ‘try before I buy’.

I do understand that for other people, or for me in different circumstances, these benefits would be outweighed by the downsides of renting. My search for a rental property was intense but short-lived and I am fortunate to be renting a lovely house privately from an attentive landlord.

I know that agents treat renters very differently to a buyer. Unlike Sofia, who feels that this was not the case a decade ago, I clearly remember being treated poorly by agents during my previous era of renting. I recall being essentially ignored by real estate offices then given a 10-minute window to view a property, along with dozens of others – if you could call it a viewing when there wasn’t even  electricity to provide light to windowless terrace-house rooms.

I also realise that my current renting experience is rose-tinged because I am able to buy a house. I would not want to be caught in the increasingly common situation of people for whom buying a house is permanently out of reach.

For me, renting is not a backwards step. Until I plunge back into mortgage land, with all the responsibilities and demands it brings, I plan to enjoy the benefits of my return to renting.