u/Embarrassed_Owl_2333

I’ve been feeling very stressed for the past month since I moved to my current place due to constant humming in the ducts which can be heard 24/7 in almost every corner of the apartment.

The humming noise is very consistent, on for ~2 mins then completely gone for 3 mins, then again and again 24/7. It can also be heard in the hallway but only near my apartment. No, I’m not crazy and it’s not tinnitus. I have it recorded and 3 persons who came to inspect the issue have all heard it. It’s a 60-120hz noise which seems to be particularly evil and annoying to many people based on similar posts on reddit.

The inspector (I don’t know his profession, AC technician or electrician or ?) sent by the building manager suggested it may have to do with the central riser near my unit and the rooftop/basement ventilation fans and/or less insulation or soundproofing around my unit and he implied nothing could be done because nothing was broken and no one had raised the same issue. I have yet to receive formal communication of findings from the building management.

I’m not convinced. Surely if there is no complaint if no one else is suffering the same. But the inspection was nowhere a comprehensive inspection either, eg. only took off 1 ceiling manhole in my unit while there are other few and also vents in my unit, no noise measuring equipment used, no check was done in the common area on my floor eg. electrical related (as we heard a buzzing like sound behind the kitchen wall different from the hum but happens together with the hum).

I don’t know if they’re going to carry out more inspections. I’m just waiting for the response and next steps if any, hopefully next week.

No concern was raised by the previous tenant who I believe lived there for a few years. I just cannot believe they didn’t notice it at all unless they were deaf or super insensitive to noise. The noise close to the ceilings is measured ~43 dB a week ago but I kinda feel it’s even louder now. Given the ducts is over more than 50% of the ceiling space in the apartment it creates almost a cinema effect.

I tried repositioning my furniture and my bed and moving them around but all that made very little difference.

I want to ask what should I do? And what can I even do as a renter?

Part of me wants to fight till the root cause is confirmed but based on the available information and resources it’s unlikely, unless I pay to get more proper investigations done which would be costly.

I also feel even they confirm it is an issue, like implied by the inspection, it won’t be fixed for me because it’s just my unit.

I’m thinking of collecting evidence eg noise not present on other floors and in units directly above and below mine, but even if I can prove it’s only my unit and this floor is impacted, nothing will be done for me.

Or I could argue lack of insulation or soundproofing is a defect, but again it’s not going to change anything.

Or should I just leave ie break lease?

I have not had a good night’s sleep since I moved in even with ear plugs I can still hear some of it. I have since developed tinnitus and anxiety. I have to spend more time in the office even though my role is hybrid. It won’t be much of an exaggeration if I say I hate every second I’m physically being in this apartment.

However breaking lease or even transferring my lease then finding a place will cost a lot of money

I skimmed through NSW tenancy laws and relevant EPA rules regarding noise and I won’t be able to have the break fee waived based on what I already have. I could possible pay for an acoustic assessment (which is expensive) and even then there is no guarantee of any reduction of break fee by the tribunal.

The break fee will be about 3k. In a better scenario of transferring my lease (to someone who cannot hear it hopefully) the process alone would cost 1.5-2k at least (moving cost + 1-2 week rent at least unless the next person can move in immediately + potentially time off work). And I haven’t asked if I’m allow to transfer my lease.

And there’s cost of finding a new place. Rent of similar apartments in my area has gone up by about $50. If I move to a cheaper area, upon a quick look, it’s about the same as my current rent or maybe $10-20 cheaper, which however will be eaten by the transport cost ($20-50 per week depending on how far I go. I currently cycle to work)

Or I could choose to stay and try to soundproof the unit by myself (I am not sure if the landlord will agree to do anything, perhaps not).

Tbh I don’t know how this is going to unfold, but I’m already feeling very very exhausted.

Appreciate any input or advice. Thanks for reading!!!

Would you buy a 1-bed apartment in the area specifically North Sydney, Crows Nest and St Leonards to live in (not to rent out)?

Why or why not?

I’m keen to hear thoughts and sentiments from the wider community and “outsiders” (rather than just prospective buyer and investors which is why I choose not to post in relevant subreddits…)

If you have recently done so or are considering, how do you factor in things such as

- the rapid TODs already happening and in the next few years

- pressure on infrastructure (e.g., on supermarkets, parks, public spaces, roads and PT)

- neighborhood congestion (feeling more congested, busy streets and shops everywhere)

- changes of vibes (from more laid-back or “village vibes” to ?)

I’ve lived in Crows Nest for over 4 years. Love this area (as well as North Sydney and St Leonards) and have always thought I would want to buy eventually in the area. However more recently I started to have second thoughts.

I can feel and in fact see this area becoming obviously more crowded since the new metro opened. Willoughby Rd has become a lot more crowded so as has supermarkets. I think I actually liked the first couple of years I lived here better even though it meant fewer fancy restaurants or ice cream shops and extra bus trips to North Sydney or Chatswood (I miss the days when 320 and 115 used to go to Wynyard / Bridge St though)

And it’s going to be more crowded with a few new high-rise apartments nearly completed, 1-2 being built and 3-5 TOD plans underway. I’m a bit unsure if it’s still somewhere I’d love and be happy living in the next 10 years at least.

Apart from the concerns about redevelopment, my options in terms of a relatively modern 1 bed are limited too. I’m nowhere close to be able to afford the newer luxury builds, and I recently ruled out a building that I was very interested in.

I sense there’ll be a long wait, if at all, until the stock becomes available that falls within my budget and ticks at least 80% of my criteria. And even that, it’s likely going to be a stretch for me given my current and projected future income.

I started to think maybe I wouldn’t be happy even I did end up in a good enough apartment in my “ideal”area as it may become less and less desirable over time, and perhaps I should look elsewhere. I’m in my early 30s and I guess I don’t want to live my life entirely to paying off a mortgage, putting every dollar left into offset and living frugal. But given my rather non-negotiable criteria, my options (as to in other areas) are still limited I think.

Back to the questions, I’d really appreciate any perspective and reasoning behind. Pointing out the flaw in my thinking would be great!

Thanks!!!

Likely need to borrow 600-650k to purchase a home and want to know if it’s possible based on my current (perhaps complicated) situation

- Daily rate contractor working in IT project delivery, so casual employment contract

- Equivalent annual salary is ~140k (actual rate is a bit higher but this is excluding the standard casual loading)

- Current contract with 6 months to go, no idea about extension yet

- A mix of perm, fixed term and contract roles in the past, same role / function

- FHB in Sydney, 700-800k budget for a 1-bed apartment in a very specific area (likely end up in the 750-800k range based on recent buy/sold data)

- 120k savings (aiming for 160k by the end of the year)

- 15k FHSS

However here is what makes it complicated and my questions are:

- My FY26 income will be significantly lower ( <80k) as I took a long break prior to the current job

Q 1: Do banks require tax returns when assessing applications / pre approvals in general?

Q 2: Are banks going to ask for my tax return given that I’m a contractor?

Q 3: If yes to Q2, and I apply in FY27, should I assume there is no chance at all for me to be approved given my low FY26 income and career gap?

Q 4: What about applying for a pre approval within this FY or perhaps before Aug (before I do tax return)?

Q 5: As a contractor, how many months into my role am I eligible to apply?

Saw some info saying usually 6 months but some said 3 months and there was one comment that for IT contractors usually treated the same as full time so just need a couple of payslips, however all I found on Reddit was from at least 2-3 years ago.

Q 6: Is 6 months remaining on a contract a must? There will be less than 6 months remaining if I have to be in this role for 6 months.

Q 7: In my case, realistically, how much will I be able to borrow?

Projected FY26 income < 80k

FY25 income was 130k with 120k salary + bonus

FY24 income was 90k due to redundancy and break

FY23 income was 110k all salary

Would appreciate advice from brokers or anyone with similar contracting experience

If possible I want to buy within the next 3 months (amid interest rate hikes yeah I know) given the recent deterioration of my living conditions (shit rental)

Thanks!!!

Hi All, FHB here intending to buy in the next 12-18 months. Although I only just started researching the market and the buying process, there is a property I’m interested in and I thought I’d go to the open home this weekend just to get a feel of it.

Importantly, I’m not considering making an offer at all. But I do want to present myself as a serious buyer at the open home so keen to get some advice as to how to behave and questions to ask, etc.

Some concerns that I have:

1. I’m a 30F (may look a few years younger) and I tend to dress casually eg usually hoodie and wide jeans - Would that be okay or is smart casual expected, like as least a shirt or something as if going to work?

2. I’ll be going alone. For the context, it is a 1-bed apartment. Is it common to attend as a single person? How can I feel less awkward… I also have a mixed accent so I’m feeling quite nervous (together with the fact that I might look young)

3. How long should I stay there?

And how carefully should I be examining the place? (I’m thinking of rental inspections and given the seriousness of buying, I would be expected to have a rather thorough look at everything but again I don’t want to look weird…)

It’s a 30 min open home. Do agents usually let one group in at a time or is it everyone inspecting the place at the same time like rental inspections?

4. What are some questions I should ask?

I’m genuinely interested in the property and also the building. I’m pretty familiar with the suburb and it is my targeted suburb.

I want to ask:

- the strata fee and council fee

- any major work planned for the building

- if the unit will be sold as vacant possession

- why is the owner selling (question: can I actually ask the reason why they are selling? Obviously I don’t want to buy a unit with a major defect identified, or someone recently died there… What is the best way to frame such a question?)

What else should I ask? (in order to appear as a serious buyer, and also to get useful information given that I am interested in the building)

FYI it is a 1 bed apartment, relatively modern, not high rise. The building is about 20 years old, located in Sydney metro.

5. What questions should I prepare to be asked?

For example, is the agent going to ask my finance? Obviously I don’t have anything finance related ready yet. But if there are questions along the lines, how should i respond?

Any other common questions from the agent and how to best respond? (given that I’m not actually looking at the moment and I know very little about the whole process)

That’s all what I can think of for now. Please tell me what I have missed and any advice is welcome!

Much appreciated!