From the Rent.com.au home page, the first step is to click on the 'Search Rentals' icon, which will ask you what you would like to search.

Your choices include type of accommodation, type of search eg. map vs. suburb vs postcode searches. There is also an area for you to type in a specific RENT ID number in case you already know the ad you want to view.

Once on the main search page, you will have the ability to set your search criteria based on area, bedrooms, rental, availability, property type and etc. A more detailed search (Rank Results) is available after you have received the initial results.

Remember, for all the above criteria, you can select 'All' or select more than one by holding down the Ctrl key as you click your selections.

In the Share-accommodation section we ask for your sex because many share-accommodation ads specify that they are only willing to accept either a male or female. For example, if you are male, you will not be shown ads that stipulate female only.

How to find holiday accommodation

Use the 'Search Rentals' icon, and choose holiday property from the type of accommodation (i.e. share, residential or holiday), and map vs. postcode searches. There is also an area for you to type in a specific property id number in case you already know the ad you want to view.

Additional search options are available as they are specific to holiday rentals:

- Bedrooms. This allows you to set how many bedrooms the dwelling should have in total. For example, if you want to visit a place with at least 3 bedrooms, you can designate this. (On the results page, you will also be shown how many people the property can sleep).

- Rent per week. This allows you to select the quality (and thus likely cost) of accommodation you are interested in. We don't use rental price ranges on the holiday search page as there can be several different rental rates for one property depending on time of year, whether it is nightly or weekly etc. If the property manager has supplied rates, then you will be able to view them on the property details screen.

- Property type. Use this if you specifically want to stay in a particular type of dwelling. This range is larger than for share or residential accommodation to reflect the many different types of holiday accommodation available, from camping grounds to farmhouses.