What your status means
- Step 1 of 5: SubmittedYou selected Submit application.
- Step 2 of 5: Under reviewThe reviewer is looking at your application.
- Step 3 of 5: Additional information requestedOnly if the reviewer asks.
- Step 4 of 5: Submit updated applicationYour answer creates the next version.
- Step 5 of 5: Decision by a personApproved or Unsuccessful.
Outcome: If approved, the reviewer may prepare tenancy documents where they can, for you to review and sign.
This is the route for a rental advertised by an owner or agent. For a room advertised by an existing tenant or a lease transfer, see "Who decides" below.
- Draft
- You have started but not submitted. Only you can see it.
- Submitted
- Your application has been sent and the reviewer has been notified in PlaceNest.
- Under review
- The reviewer is looking at your application.
- Approved
- For a rental advertised by an owner or agent: the reviewer approved your application in PlaceNest.
- Selected (in PlaceNest)
- For a lease transfer, or a room advertised by an existing tenant: the landlord, managing agent or owner holding the decision selected your application in PlaceNest.
- Unsuccessful
- The reviewer decided not to progress your application.
- Withdrawn
- You withdrew your application.
Your application page also shows a progress tracker and a timeline. Timeline entries show the reviewer's role, not their name.
Shortlisted and other progress details
Shortlisted and Additional information requested are progress details, not statuses. Your status stays the same while they apply.
Important: Being shortlisted is not an approval. The reviewer may still decide either way.
A reviewer can reopen an unsuccessful application for reconsideration. It then returns to Under review.
Responding to a request for information
A reviewer may ask for more information. There is only one open request at a time. It may include a suggested respond-by date, but nothing expires automatically.
- Open your application from My applications. The Additional information requested panel shows the reviewer's message.
- Select Respond to this request.
- Update only the parts the reviewer asked about. Other parts stay locked, unless an answer is no longer valid (for example, a move-in date that is now in the past).
- Write a short reply note to the reviewer.
- Confirm the declarations again and select Submit updated application.
Your update creates the next version under the same APP reference, up to 6 versions in total. Earlier versions never change. If the reviewer makes a decision first, the open request is cancelled.
Good to know: If the request comes from a tenant who is screening applicants, they see only a summary of your application.
Who decides
Who decides depends on who advertised, as stated in the advertisement's "Who is advertising?" answer.
- Rental advertised by the owner: the owner reviews and decides.
- Rental advertised by an agent: the agent reviews and decides. The agent may ask the property owner for their view, but the agent keeps the decision.
- Room advertised by an existing tenant: the tenant screens applicants using a summary only. They cannot approve or select anyone. If the landlord or managing agent needs to consider you, the tenant can send your application to them, with your agreement.
- Lease transfer advertised by the current tenant: the tenant screens using a summary, then sends your application to the landlord or managing agent, who decides.
- Lease transfer advertised by the managing agent or owner: they review and decide.
Important: PlaceNest does not rank or score applicants and does not choose the successful applicant. PlaceNest does not verify anyone's ownership, agency or authority.
When someone wants to share your application
If a reviewer sends your application to someone else, such as a landlord or managing agent, you see a card: Someone wants to share your application. It shows the person's name, role, agency and the domain of their e-mail address.
- If you agree, that person sees your full application — including your contact details, income, referees and documents — and can make or record a decision.
- If you decline, nothing is shared with them.
- Nothing is shared until that person has accepted the invitation and you have agreed.
Important: Accepting an invitation only confirms that the person controls that e-mail address. PlaceNest has not verified that they own or manage the property.
What an outcome means
Important: Approved or Selected (in PlaceNest) means the person holding the decision chose your application in PlaceNest. It is not a signed tenancy agreement, it does not mean a bond has been paid or a tenancy has started, and it does not transfer a tenancy.
Any tenancy or transfer is still subject to the landlord's or agent's process. Check the official tenancy information for the ACT or NSW.
After you are approved or selected
The person holding the decision may prepare tenancy documents in PlaceNest. Your application page shows when they are being prepared. When a document is issued for you to review and sign, it appears in Tenancy documents.
The property address in your application
Once you submit, your application shows the property address alongside its APP, ADV and PRP references. While it is a draft, you see only the property type and suburb.
This does not make the address public. The advertisement keeps its own address privacy setting.
This guide explains how PlaceNest works. It is general information, not legal advice. For your rights and obligations, check the official tenancy information for your state or territory or get independent advice.