Copland College
Graphs and Statistics - 2007

Investigative Task - Moving Out

This activity is worth 30% of your term's marks.
Project Due: Monday 26 March.

Instructions:

  • We will spend time in the computer lab to complete this task.
  • It is expected that the task can be complete during our class sessions.  You should not have to spend very much out of class time on this activity.
  • The project is to be submitted on hard copy.  All work can be done on the computer and printed.
  • Include a title page stating your name, class teacher, due date and line.
  • Ensure that when you give examples the examples are similar - comparing apples with apples.
  • Be neat and tide.

1 - Rent: 2 marks x 5.

For this section of the work you can use the following web sites,

a) The Canberra Times, AllHomes.com or RealEstate.com

Click on this link.  This will take you to the main page for the Canberra Times.  See below.  Alternately you can visit AllHomes  or RealEstate.com  The example below shows the Canberra Times site.  You may choose any of the sites.  Make sure that you indicate which site you have used.  

In section marked,

Choose Canberra and Surrounds.

The following screen should then appear in part.

Now click on the Rent  option.  This will allow you to examine properties for rent rather than for sale.

Use the search criteria to answer the questions on your assignment.  You can cut and paste the necessary examples to include in your report.  The questions that must be answered with examples are,

  1. Does the number of bedrooms affect the price?  Give three examples.
  2. Does having a furnished house affect the rental?  Give three examples.
  3. Does the location affect the price?  Give three examples.
  4. Are there restrictions placed on tenants? Give three examples.
  5. Is there a difference between renting apartments and houses for the same number of rooms? Use the drop down menu to select the appropriate dwelling.  See below,

2 - Bond: 2 marks x 5

The information required for this section can be found on on the Canberra Connect Website .  However, the following link will take you directly to information on Rental Bonds.  This is a document that will outline a considerable amount of information on rental bonds had how they operate.

  1. What is a bond?
  2. Is there a difference in the bond amount between a furnished and unfurnished house?  If yes, what is the difference?
  3. How is the bond used whilst you are renting?
  4. How do you get your bond back?
  5. Give three examples when the bond is not reimbursed?

When you rent a property you will usually have to sign a Residential Tenancy Agreement.  This is a contract between the landlord and the tenant.  An example of one of these agreements can be downloaded by clicking here.  The particular agreement applies to Queensland but the principles are the same throughout Australia.  Look carefully at the restrictions and obligations that it places on a tenant.  The following graphic shows you the first part of this form.

Utilities: 2, 2, 4, 2 Marks

Utilities are organizations that provider services such electricity, gas, water and telephone.  The following links will take you to various web sites to investigate aspects of the questions that are asked below.

1 - Telstra billing
2 - Telstra Bill 1- Page 1 and Page 2
3 - Telstra Bill - 2  - Page 1 and Page 2
4 - Gas Bill - 1 - Page 1 and Page 2
5 - Gas Bill - 2 - Page 1 and Page 2
6 - Electricity Bill - 1 - Page 1 and Page 2
7 - Electricity Bill - 2 - Page 1 and Page 2
8 - Water and Sewerage - 1 - Page 1 and Page 2
9 - Water and Sewerage - 2 - Page 1 and Page 2

You may like to include some data from bills you obtain from home as well.

  1. What is the time interval between bills for electricity, gas, water and phone.
  2. Do you notice any patterns within each utility, e.g., seasonal patterns?  If any pattern exists can you think of a reason why?
  3. Use the above information; calculate the yearly expense for each utility and the average expense, use 52 weeks per year.
  4. Do you think that, living away from home, you may be able to reduce some of those bills?  Which one(s)? How, be realistic?