Real Estate Terminology Guide
Real estate terminology in Sydney will most likely differ from what you are familiar with. Also worth noting, property sizes are measured using the metric system, in square metres. Many dwellings have a combined lounge and dining area and this is nearly always stipulated. The following terms and acronyms are commonly used by real estate agents and landlords when advertising property:Bond
A security deposit paid by tenant & lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority – not more than the equivalent to four weeks rent.
Rent
A consistent amount of money paid on a regular basis by a tenant or resident to a landlord to occupy a premises.
PCM
Per Calendar Month – annual rent for a property is divided into 12 equal monthly payments amounts, and is payable same day of every calendar month.
Utilities
Services provided to your property such as gas, electricity, water and telephone.
BIR or BR
Built in Robes; wardrobes which are part of the home as fixtures.
WIR
Walk-in Robe; a wardrobe adjoining a bedroom which is the size of a small room.
CBD
The central business district of Sydney. It is the commercial centre of Sydney.
Private Landlord
The property is being offered for lease by the owner, not through a real estate company.
Furnished/Partly Furnished
Can mean completely or partly. Usually, it will entail the basics; bed, fridge, wardrobe and television. It is best to ask the real estate agent about the property in question, as this will differ from property to property.
Rooms
Rooms are counted by the number of bedrooms in the dwelling. A two room flat has two bedrooms.
Studio
Studio apartments do not have a separate bedroom, rather, the living area is open plan. The kitchen can either be in a separate room or part of the open plan. Bathrooms are always a separate room.
Other Abbreviations
OSP – Off Street Parking
A/C – Air Conditioning
adj – Adjacent
alc – Alcove
amen – Amenities
br, bdr – Bedroom
bung – Bungalow
crpt – Carpet
d/h – Ducted Heating
d/w – Dishwasher
dbl gar – Double Garage
dlug – Double Lock-up Garage
lug – Lock-up garage
ens – Ensuite bathroom
exp – Expenses
ff, f/f, f/furn – Fully-furnished
fl cov – Floor Coverings
ghw – Gas Hot Water
htg – Heating
kit – Kitchen
ldry – Laundry
liv – Living
mod – Modern
ofp – Open Fireplace
pkg, prkg – Parking
pw, p/w – Per Week
rm – Solid Brick
RTBA – Residential Tenancies Bond Authority
s’out – Single-fronted
sb – Single
sec – Shower
semi – Semi-detached
tce – Terrace
tmbr – Timber
uc, u/c, ucp – Under Cover, Under Cover Parking
u/f – Unfurnished
venblds – Venetian Blinds
vgc – Very Good Condition
wc – Water Closet (toilet)
wip – Walk-in Pantry
wm – Washing Machine
