Please Help - Agent Taking a Massive Chunk of My Bond for Repairs, Painting and Cleaning - What Can I Do?

[Deactivated] on 19/11/2015 - 18:09

I'll try to keep this as short as possible.

Was given 90 days to move out - reason given: No Reason.

I advised I will move out by Sunday and organised end of lease cleaning to be done on the same day. Handed back the keys.

1 - End of lease cleaning included cleaning all walls / cupboards / tiles / windows / balcony / fittings / sliding door track - the works basically everything and it also included carpet steam cleaning. I have a receipt for $370 for the clean. I am told there are issues with the cleaning not being adequate. They say a bunch of stuff wasn't cleaned properly and that carpets weren't steamed even though it was clear they were - regardless I am told it will cost an additional $110 for the cleaning and $143 for the carpet steam (again).

2 - There was also a decent sized scratch on the gyprock wall and marks on the roof which will require repairs and painting (which I don't dispute). I tried to fix the scratch using a putty, sandpaper and paint but was not a very good job (paint was wrong etc). The quote for the scratch to be repaired and marks on the roof (which were cleaned with the wrong product and created larger marks) to be painted was $1100 !!!

I don't really mind paying for (1) because it's more a fault of the cleaners that came in to do the cleaning, however (2) is ridiculously excessive. I am waiting for the actual quote itself so that I can see exactly what the issue is and I have requested it to be itemized so I can see everything that adds to this grand sum of $1100.

Photos of the scratch and roof marks (hard to see the roof marks)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6c83cz7t2rpbauk/IMG_0315.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/681wx3fs196dc9p/IMG_0316.JPG?dl=0

I have no idea what to do here. I have asked my agent if I will be forced to comply with whatever repairer they choose and they said yes - I am forced to comply. Obviously I have no right to be in the apartment anymore because the lease is up so I have no opportunity to go back and fix it.

In the end - I am hoping that there is some way I can at least reduce the amount of money they will take from me. The kicker is that the repairer / painter is in cahoots with the agent so they could effectively quote whatever they want and perhaps even negotiate a kicker to the agency for inflating the price.

In hindsight - I should have extended my rent for another week and moved out sooner but that would have been another $610 anyway.

Any help would be appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • spackbace on 19/11/2015 - 18:15

    How long were you there for in total?

    Reason I ask is it's borderline 'fair wear and tear', and shouldn't require such a hefty repair.

  • Puska on 19/11/2015 - 18:23

    Get some local handy men out and get your own quotes on getting the marks repaired.

    The scratches only need topcoat, a sand and paint. Topcoat will take 5 minutes to put on (40 minutes to dry) and 5 seconds too sand.
    Buy all the materials and get a handy man to fix that up for you. (1 hours work)
    Buy a 4L drum of ceiling white and a drum of the wall paint and paint yourself. Will save you a whole load.

    • spackbace on 19/11/2015 - 18:25
      +1

      Problem with your plan is that OP can't ask for the keys, lease can finished now.

      • Puska on 19/11/2015 - 18:27

        sorry, forgot to read last paragraph. He could request for a few more quotes on the damage.

  • mshanann on 19/11/2015 - 18:27

    Not that it is of any use now - unless you can convince them you are able to do the repairs …
    But all you need to do is take a chip of paint about the size of a 50c piece to Bunnings (or whatever paint store) and get them to colour match it.
    They can give you a sample 250ml pot for about $7

  • Davo1111 on 19/11/2015 - 18:33
    1. Is this a private lease? or through an agent?
    2. Do you have a rental agreement?
    3. What does the rental agreement say in regards to cleaning?

    Was given 90 days to move out - reason given: No Reason.

    No reason required.

    1 - End of lease cleaning included cleaning all walls

    Provide receipt and leave it at that. If they want to take it to court, then they can.

    2 - There was also a decent sized scratch on the gyprock wall

    It sounds reasonable, however they can't charge you for normal wear and tear. Only the actual damage.

    why the hell didnt you try and fix it prior to moving out using your own professional?

    I will be forced to comply with whatever repairer they choose and they said yes - I am forced to comply.

    Well, ask for 2 quotes, and a copy of the quote so you can see what they're actually charging.

    The thing is, they can tell you all they want, but the courts may feel otherwise.

    • twinbag on 19/11/2015 - 20:47

      i agree with the above re the cleaning, give them a copy of the invoice. you got the place professionally cleaned and fufilled your obligation.

      As for the other repairs, I believe you have a right to organise your own repairs regardless of the fact your lease has ended. Just make sure you lodge a claim for a full refund of the bond from the rental bond board and give them your updated contact details.

  • tj101 on 19/11/2015 - 20:49
    +1

    If you are in Victoria, the bond is not held by the agent. Say they may take nothing from your bond, and have them take you to the tenancies tribunal in your state. The tribunal is very fair, they only make you pay for depreciated costs. Ie, ceiling was last painting 10 years ago, cost to paint is $1000 and a paint job should last 10 years, therefor it was up for a paint anyway and you pay nothing, or some very minor amount like $100, not the whole amount. The landlord also has to pay the agent to go to the tribunal, so often, they let things slide when they realise you won't pay up as tribunals are VERY in favour of tenants. Even cleaning fees is very subjective, so if they want you to pay $100, but the agent charges the landlord $300 to go to the tribunal, usually the landlord will just suck up the cleaning cost rather than risk tribunal. Let us know how it pans out.

  • try2bhelpful on 19/11/2015 - 23:26

    Go see the Tenants Union and find out your rights.

    Victoria.
    http://www.tuv.org.au/

    Other states also have similar. Do not let this guy rip you off.

  • mrham on 19/11/2015 - 23:29

    Choice sums up the cleaning requirements fairly concisely here:

    https://www.choice.com.au/money/property/renting/articles/re…

  • [Deactivated] on 20/11/2015 - 08:10

    So the agent will request these fund to be taken from my Bond and apparently there is nothing I can do about it.

    I can appeal but I have to have grounds.

    I am in NSW

    • Ash-Say on 20/11/2015 - 17:08
      +1

      To start with, lodge rental bond return form with NSW fair trading immidiately. You don't need agent's signatures. If the agent doesn't dispute it within 14 days, NSW Fair Trading will release it to you.

    • Davo1111 on 21/11/2015 - 03:51

      I can appeal but I have to have grounds.

      well start thinking of some reasons. We've helped you out here.

      Or just surrender all your bond.. whatever.

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