We recently ended a 12 year tenancy. Whilst every effort was made to clean the property we were unable to complete it in time. No other damages were made. So we were prepared to lose part of our bond to cover the remaining cleaning needing to be done. Real Estate lodged a claim on our behalf, silly me thought they were helping us as we couldn’t find the original bond paperwork. Fast forward to 6 weeks after leaving the property, the bond has been released to the realestate and I have no idea what the whole amount is going towards as communication with the real estate has been minimal (not on my behalf), I haven’t been supplied with any invoices just one email stating they will be getting quotes for cleaning, gardening, key replacement and gutter cleaning.
Given that the real estate isn’t communicating very clearly with me, I’m thinking of taking it to tribunal to have it reassessed as all government websites are stating that the real estate should have provided me with these invoices prior to lodging the claim for the bond. I understand there is a fee involved, no issues there.
Have you been through tribunal?
How did it work?
Is it worth it?
Could it back fire on me, seeing me fork out more?
Rental bond / Tribunal
Rental bond / Tribunal
Posted in:
Money
5 Replies
Nope it cant..go to tribunal and they will be forced to follow their side of the agreement as well. They have dates yy which to give you the amount and return your bond. You can also take the opportunity of mediation to negotiate their amount down as well, as 12 years a lot, aside from cleaning, will be wear and tear.
I used it to get my bond refunded where they wouldnt respond and messed me around and were going to keep it. It was simple and helpful.
Thank you, one question lol.... do you actually have to attend court or is it kind of dealt with in the background. I think that’s the part I find so daunting.
They got all the basic details, then checked with them, since they still disagreed they scheduled a time for mediation which was a phone call but they had the real estate on another line at the same time. So they would talk to me, I would say what I want, they would go and talk to RE, they would come back to me, I would say again what I agree to and what I dont, and it went on until each part was agreed to and all done. Didnt take too long and was really straightforward.
I guess if they still dont agree it will go to court, but the reason they mediators are there is to explain and remind each side of the rules and duties, so if theyre in the wrong it will cost them to continue it to court.
Property Manager Here
Protocol - you should have been present for the final inspection they have to invite you - if you were not you should have been provided the actual report with their findings.
2nd - you should be given QUOTES to approve for works to be completed.
If none of this was done - absolutely Tribunal - they have acted without telling you hoping they can get away with just scooping up your bond and not worrying about any of it - making their job easier.
If you go to tribunal I think it is around $52.00 for an application - you will have phone mediation where the member will ask you what you are willing to offer - chuck a figure out. See what happens. This is just mediation and if there is no resolution to this then you go to a hearing, which may still be via telephone due to restrictions. (Different in each state likely)
Do not be scared or worried about any of it and do not allow this real estate to get away with it.
Had they supplied you evidence of all costs, then you would know what to expect and you then could have room to ask for a cheaper quote, or find someone yourself to do the works.
It was a 12 year tenancy - a lot of the "damages' they will be claiming may just be wear and tear, which is the owners responsibility.
I wish you all the best.
Great advice it is lovely to see a property manager that doesn't automatically side with the owner.