Tenants Rights over Exit Report

Lbadgerbright on 27/07/2020 - 20:05
Last edited 27/07/2020 - 20:05

I gave my official notice to end my year long lease a couple of days back. To my surprise, I had the PM call me almost immediately berating me because the landlord had lost their job and I was dropping them in it because I was giving my notice in the current rental climate.

I'm sympathetic to the landlord's plight, but I've done everything correctly, paid full and on time, correct notice periods etc. I'm concerned that the PM is clearly riled at me giving notice, is not impartial, and wonder what kind of impact that will have on my exit report. There were many things that I flagged in the entry report that were incorrectly noted as 'clean' by the PM, but it wasn't exhaustive, and due to it being an old flat, there are things the PM will be able to mine if that's their agenda.

Can I flag this situation up with the letting agency to ask for someone more impartial to do the exit report?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • whooah1979 on 27/07/2020 - 20:12
    +15

    The landlord had a good time when times were good. They should stop whining now that the tide has turned.

    Tell them that you’ll leave when your time is up.

  • robbyjones on 27/07/2020 - 20:13
    +6

    I hate to tell you but the Property Manager was never impartial, they are employed by the owner to act on their behalf, that is their job. Having said that, it doesn't mean that you will receive an unfavourable exit report because you choose to leave. Just document everything and take video of everything. You can speak to the letting agent but the PM works for them so not sure how far that will get you; you could certainly complain about their unprofessional behaviour. Just keep record of everything, including the call berating you, with date and time, just in case it does turn ugly and you have to go to tribunal.

    • jellykingdom on 28/07/2020 - 08:50

      The PM is probably shitting themselves because they now have to tell the landlord the bad news that he's a) losing the tenant so it may be empty for a while, b) going to need to find another tenant in these Covid times, and c) not going to get the same rent anymore

      And i say that as a landlord

      • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2020 - 10:10

        It's not even the PM's fault.

        Contracts expiring is the inevitable consequence of the passage of time.

        Maybe blame Jeremy. Jeremy Bearimy.

  • tsunamisurfer on 27/07/2020 - 20:23
    +7

    OP if you are operating within the terms of the contract then whatever is happening to the Landlord is none of your concern.

    If the lease is up and you want to leave, please DGAF about the LL's employment situation.

    Look through the report and if you find anything in there that is abnormal or unfair. discuss with them.

  • Agarwal on 27/07/2020 - 20:32
    +7

    I would've thought the PM would have bigger things to be concerned with at the moment. Unless you're renting Kirribilli House?

  • dizzle on 27/07/2020 - 20:47
    +1

    Just remember, your side of the contract also includes fair wear and tear. Considering it is an old apartment, it should be expected that there will be issues beyond the original inspection report.

    It does sound like a dodgy PM to berate you for leaving. It probably comes down to how he has handled the landlord. If they didn't send you a new contract to sign, it could be because they thought that would drive you out. Now that you're moving anyway he has to explain that to the landlord (or it could just be he doesn't want to do extra work).

    With that in mind, I would look at the entry report and photograph anything you think could be issues. If they do come up in the exit report, then talk them over as if they are wear and tear items. If they want to keep the money straight up, I believe you have to agree with it. Otherwise they need to go through the procedures to negotiate. It ties up the bond for a while (but they only have a limited time to submit), but they also have to pay staff to work on it. So they will come back with a smaller amount for you to agree with.

  • life is suffering on 27/07/2020 - 20:55
    +5

    damn I was like why is Scomo getting involved?

  • fantombloo on 27/07/2020 - 20:58
    +2

    the landlord had lost their job and I was dropping them in it

    I suspect there'll be plenty more of this in the coming years.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 27/07/2020 - 22:04

    Honestly Landlord losing there job is not your problem. Clean the place to the best of you ability if your not the best at cleaning get someone to do it for a couple hundred and move out.

    Renting a property is a business sometimes it is good, sometimes it is bad if your landlord doesnt understand this he shouldnt be a landlord.

  • Hardlyworkin on 27/07/2020 - 22:59
    +1

    Your landlord can move into your place then. Not your issue, you honoured your contract. The landlord invested in real estate. Investments aren't risk free.

    I definitely wouldn't say anything. Just ask the PF if they have a preferred carpet cleaning company. Clean it well, take photos and stand your ground.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2020 - 00:28
    +1

    Tell your real estate agent they can apply for jobseeker like you are. Lol. Just won't happen because they are not poor.

  • jjjaar on 28/07/2020 - 08:25
    +2

    The PM obviously still has a job. They can rent it if they truly feel bad for the landlord.

  • wallet72 on 28/07/2020 - 08:48

    if you are really worried and you don't mind paying for it, get a reputable bond cleaning company to do your exit clean. Take photos and video of the place after it's cleaned - get 'too much' detail - and let the PM do their thing.

    If they are going to pull a shifty on you, they will have to refute your evidence and the reputation of the bond cleaning company.

    The plus side of all this, you don't have to clean it yourself.

  • wiipantz on 28/07/2020 - 08:49

    I'd seek to get some paper trail on that conversation as it sounds out of line, this is only if for whatever reason you need to go through your relevant state body tribunal if shit hits the fan. As a suggestion you could send your PM an email basically paraphrasing your post perhaps, highlighting you complying and stating as you mentioned "insert PM's comments here" this way there is some record of that behavior. That's all assuming it goes bad, keep dotting your I's and crossing your T's and run for the hills! I think you will be ok, that's just a suggestion of mine.

    • whooah1979 on 28/07/2020 - 11:20
      -1

      They should’ve recorded the conversation.

      • wiipantz on 28/07/2020 - 12:42

        If it's not written down it's just hot air.
        Relying upon them to a) do thier job and b) be ethical
        is dubious at best it would appear, take or leave that advice I don't mind really. Just a weird time and experience to say the least for you, hope a good outcome emerges

        • whooah1979 on 28/07/2020 - 12:58
          -1

          A recorded conversation may be used by the recorder to protect their lawful interest in a dispute like this one.

  • Jugganautx on 28/07/2020 - 10:45
    +2

    Some people are just too nice.

    If I got berated over the phone i'd give it right back to them.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/07/2020 - 11:42

      I reckon OP did the right thing.

      You may feel empowered whilst returning fire but it serves no purpose other than to feel good.

      The PM can still do more damage to you which not only makes them feel good, it has tangible consequences to you. I'm not saying they are entitled or right in doing so.

      Just let the PM mouth off. Consolidate your position and consider your options.

  • badgerbright on 28/07/2020 - 14:20
    +1

    Unfortunately I didn't think to record it as it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I think it may need at least writing up and documenting, should that level of unprofessionalism carry over onto the exit report and something insane gets claimed on bond and it turns to xCAT.

    I think the best thing would be to document everything, use their prefered cleaner, masses of photos, then see what happens.

    Seriously though- I dread to think how people are treated that actually do something wrong.

  • ssquid on 29/07/2020 - 08:24

    Landlord should be happy, since they have no job they can now sell the property without worrying about finding a buyer willing to accept an occupied property.

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