Property Agent Left The Door Open after Inspection

saymyname on 09/11/2020 - 20:35
Last edited 10/11/2020 - 20:21

Hello,

My apartment agent came in today for my apartment inspection when I was not at home and left my front door open when he left. I have some very valuable things in my apartment like certificates and passports. The inspection was at 2pm and I came home at 7pm. So my front door was open with no one inside for about 5 hours with all the lights inside the apartment turned ON. The suburb that I'm staying in is not safe. Thankfully my valuables were safe until I came home. I tried contacting the agent but he did not pick up my call. I will try contacting the agent again tomorrow. Is there anything that I can do about this. Thanks in advance for you valuable suggestions.

Edit: Thanks guys for your suggestions. I spoke to my agent today and he apologized for what has happened and said he won't repeat it again. So I'm going to leave it at that.

Cheers.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • spackbace on 09/11/2020 - 20:40
    -8

    Is there anything that I can do about this.

    Yes, let them know.

    Oh wait

    I tried contacting the agent but he did not pick up my call. I will try contacting the agent again tomorrow.

    • pegaxs on 09/11/2020 - 20:48
      +8

      Ironically, the REA locked themselves out of their own office…

      • Scrooge McDuck on 10/11/2020 - 20:01
        +6

        Or their phone was stolen because they left their office door open.

    • spackbace on 11/11/2020 - 13:18

      Edit: Thanks guys for your suggestions. I spoke to my agent today and he apologized for what has happened and said he won't repeat it again. So I'm going to leave it at that.

      And that's the end of that chapter

  • perhaps on 09/11/2020 - 20:40
    +8

    Great, what did you want us to do about it?

    • pegaxs on 09/11/2020 - 20:47
      +62

      "i wAnT CoMpEnSaTiOnZ"

      • whooah1979 on 09/11/2020 - 21:06
        +13

        This mistake is worth at least three months free rent.

      • tsunamisurfer on 09/11/2020 - 22:08
        +2

        This should be the title of this thread.

  • follow on 09/11/2020 - 20:44

    do you have proof?

  • Downvoter on 09/11/2020 - 20:46
    +13

    Why the (profanity) would someone post about this…

    • perhaps on 09/11/2020 - 20:48
      +34

      we need a "rant" forum section asap

    • berry580 on 11/11/2020 - 01:12
      +1

      Why the (profanity) are you doing here?

    • CalmLemons on 11/11/2020 - 16:57
      -1

      because the poor mans way of helping with anxiety is by worrying about something that didn't happen.

      it is also the poor mans way to not be grateful that they were not robbed despite the odds stated by op.

  • Godric on 09/11/2020 - 20:49
    +5

    Demand he deliver to you free lunch tomorrow

    • perhaps on 09/11/2020 - 20:53
      +10

      demand ride in high yield investment šŸ˜Ž

  • garetz on 09/11/2020 - 20:53
    +4

    Get a new agent.

    • blorx on 11/11/2020 - 23:13

      That's probably the biggest fk you, OP could do.

      • spackbace on 11/11/2020 - 23:20

        Except that OP is a tenant, not owner…

  • avoidfullprice on 09/11/2020 - 20:55
    +8

    Blame Shopback, that's what ozbargainers do in this breach situation.

    Just kidding of course

    • pegaxs on 09/11/2020 - 21:06
      +8

      And then when Shopback gives everyone a $3 coupon, go nuts, up-vote the post and forget the breach ever happened… Maybe the REA could give OP a $3 voucher?

      • avoidfullprice on 09/11/2020 - 22:28

        I doubt REA tracks clicks any better muahahhaa I mean, the real estate agent didn't even hear the click of the door lock before leaving.

        OP shoudl blame all the spam he/she receives on the real estate agent thou. Like, people could have written down his passport and stole his identity.

        Jusssttt kidddding

      • Clear on 09/11/2020 - 23:25
        +3

        You forget the part where they boost their reputation with fake reviews and Linkedin stalk those who leave bad reviews. REA could learn quite a few lessons from Shopback it seems.

        • avoidfullprice on 10/11/2020 - 07:20
          +1

          fake reviews platform- https://www.ratemyagent.com.au/ checked

          My previous REA who I disputed with added me on LinkedIn. I won't say that practice hasn't occured already.

          This is not a drill

  • dizzle on 09/11/2020 - 20:56
    +13

    What are you after? Since nothing was missing, there is no loss and all you are likely to get is an apology.

    Should it have happened? No.
    Can anything else be done about it now? Not really, all that can be done is try to prevent it happening again by notifying the agent of their mistake.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2020 - 21:13
      +20

      I think the only reasonable thing that could come out of this is that OP refuses to allow inspections at times he is not present. Anything more than that would be a long shot.

      • whooah1979 on 09/11/2020 - 21:23

        The tenant can only refuse an inspection as long as it is done in accordance with the RT Act 1997.

      • dizzle on 09/11/2020 - 22:44
        +1

        As long as they give the right notice, it doesn't matter whether he is there or not. If he can't make their time, then I believe they can do it anyway (may depend on state regulations, but I'd be surprised if there is much difference in this case)

  • Daabido on 09/11/2020 - 21:47
    +4

    He probably got an emergency booty call. Really though, as a professional agent you think turning off the lights and locking up would not need a checklist.

  • 2jzzzz on 09/11/2020 - 21:53
    +6

    Don't allow him to inspect without you present from now on shrugs

  • GourmetFoodie on 09/11/2020 - 21:53
    +15

    Make a complaint to his boss or the owner of the agency. That is sooooo unprofessional.

    You canā€™t really expect compensation when nothing was stolen though.

    • Kangal on 11/11/2020 - 00:28
      +9

      I actually had a somewhat similar story to this.

      I showed my disscontempt for inspections without my presence, and asked for them to reschedule the inspection to a Monday. I had Mondays off those days, but they never got back to me and did the inspection on a Tuesday anyway. I got home on Tuesday night, starving for dinner, without battery left on my phone… only to find they locked the deadbolt. Now this can be manually locked from the inside, but from the outside you need a key, and I never received one as they said they didn't have it. So I had to annoy some neighbours to use their phone, and call a locksmith. The next day I spoke to them "calmly". And since they weren't going to pay for the locksmith, I manually deducted that from the next week's rent. The next week they called, and I explained the situation, and sent them the locksmith receipt. Never heard about it again. Oh, and after that, they made sure to not lock me out… but still wouldn't accept to having inspections on a Monday. This is REA, they have a crappy reputation for a reason.

      • Manny Calavera on 11/11/2020 - 09:33

        Didn't get the locksmith to make you a key for the deadbolt?

        • Kangal on 11/11/2020 - 09:59
          +1

          Last thing on my mind at the time. Besides, it's a rental and would've cost me more money. Money that I wasn't sure I would get back.

          I even distinctly remember telling them to not touch the deadbolt and lock me out. To show how incompetent they are, they didn't even do the inspection themselves, they sent another agent from another suburb because reasons.

          If you're selling a house, REA adore you (best $$$). If you're buying a house, they like you (big $$). If you're a landlord or tenant, it's all a facade (little $).

    • abb on 11/11/2020 - 13:54

      You canā€™t really expect compensation when nothing was stolen though.

      OP's mistake was admitting on public record that nothing was taken. Would have been very interesting if "$2000 cash went missing"…

  • SF3 on 09/11/2020 - 21:56
    +4

    Fingerprint powder all your valuablesā€™ surfaces for evidence of inappropriate ā€œtouchesā€.

    Measure the amount of electricity used in between 2pm and 5pm. Ask for compo.

    Install security camera.

    Purchase content insurance.

    Call agent and tell them, you are on to them.

    Oh, sounds like your apartment building is safe despite your area is high risk.

    • Hardlyworkin on 10/11/2020 - 07:54
      +7

      It's not only your English that is broke.

  • this is us on 09/11/2020 - 22:33
    +9

    Just the idea of having the agent doing an inspection without being at home is invasive and unacceptable. I've never accepted that, always asked them to do inspections when I am at home.

  • screensaver on 09/11/2020 - 22:38
    +7

    Yes I agree, you must be present from now on, and say How do I make a complaint about this? I think you should let the boss know as its the reputation of the agency at stake

  • Baysew on 09/11/2020 - 22:50

    Is there anything that I can do about this

    Yes, close the door.

    • payton on 09/11/2020 - 23:11
      +1

      bonus points if OP does this when calling the REA tomorrow.

  • battler on 09/11/2020 - 23:19
    +1

    I'd expect this sort of shit from a 'Member for 34 minutes', not 3 years!

    • payton on 09/11/2020 - 23:21
      +4

      TBH I'd be super pissed too if the REA left the front door ajar, for something that only benefits them and the landlord (ie routine inspect)

      • SF3 on 09/11/2020 - 23:36
        +4

        I don't think a REA is hired for their intelligence and concern for others?

  • vegemite2008 on 10/11/2020 - 01:49
    -4

    He made a mistake… We all make mistakes. If it happens again then do something about it but now - give the agent a break.

  • hymio on 10/11/2020 - 01:57
    +3

    Try contacting these guys for advice - https://www.tenantsvic.org.au/contact-us/

    Also check if the REA served you enough notice by counting the days very carefully. We had an unexpected inspection when we weren't home as their letter of notification didn't reach us on time. REA wasn't happy with the condition of the place (no damage, just untidy). There was a public holiday in there and the agent hadn't given us the correct amount of notice by a few days, which was a pretty serious issue as that meant the agent had basically trespassed. Not sure if it will help in your situation but it may give you leverage for your REA to take you more seriously.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 10/11/2020 - 05:16
    +3

    I can imagine how hard it would be to make an insurance claim if your home was burgled…

    I think you should phone a tenancy advice line and see what options you have.

  • geekcohen on 10/11/2020 - 07:49

    Lesson 101 with inspections, always be in attendance. I always do it and get them to change the time so I am home.

    • Kangal on 11/11/2020 - 00:19

      Yeah about that… work now wants you in at 9-5, and REA only do times that are convenient for them…. ie 10-4. So unless you bend your morals and chuck a sickie, you're not gonna have attendance. What about weekends they say? Yeah, REA don't do that… they'll stick to M-F. And if you're like my old REA, which had one inspection almost every month, it means a lot of pita, as you shouldn't be spending your A/L hours on it.

      Only solution: have a partner, family member, or a close friend stay…. until you can buy your own shoe-box

  • Hardlyworkin on 10/11/2020 - 08:03

    Thank god those certificates are safe! I too highly value my participation certificate from the year 6 cross country.

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 10/11/2020 - 08:17

    Move from Afghanistan?

  • Candour on 10/11/2020 - 08:53

    ou can complain to consumer affairs but you will be targeted by him in future? ask to speak to the principal and complain in writing to him first and then to consumer affairs as a matter of record.

  • RecklessMonkeys on 10/11/2020 - 09:41

    How hard is it for the agent to close the door behind him?
    It tells you that you can't rely on his judgment going forward.

    And what's with leaving the lights on?

    This has happened to me as well.
    When I moved out, they rang me up asking why there was furniture still in the apartment.
    They had lost the inventory list.

    I would put all complaints in writing and chalk this up to experience.

  • OzHunterNSW on 10/11/2020 - 09:57
    -1

    This is the issue I have with these people… and believe me… you can not…. can not trust them.

    I would write a turn letter… a Formal Complaint. I would state that NO further property inspection will take place without your presence.
    Threat taking matter to tribunal if necessary.

    Lastly, I would contact the police and seek that this incompetent individual/or agency be prosecuted.

    In fact, I would take the matter to Tribunal anyway and seek a monetary form of compensation.

    • backswitch on 10/11/2020 - 10:20
      +1

      Police won't investigate.

      It's not a criminal matter.

      Don't waste their time!

    • Maxxiz on 11/11/2020 - 09:43

      Lastly, I would contact the police and seek that this incompetent individual/or agency be prosecuted.

      For what offence exactly?

  • 82norm on 10/11/2020 - 10:37
    +1

    Just blast the pr1ck, then move on.

  • CandyMan on 10/11/2020 - 16:05
    +2

    Call the agent say you think someone broke in and to change the keys coz the door was open
    Enjoy how they have to explain themselves

  • kiitos on 10/11/2020 - 16:25

    OP, good thing you hid the drug money in the crawlspace.

  • Reddich24 on 10/11/2020 - 17:53

    I think a good verbal lashing is in order and then leave it at that. Make sure you really communicate how little respect you have for them and their profession. Also have a transcript and report it back to ozbargain.

  • KBZ on 10/11/2020 - 20:31
    +1

    I swear more and more of these post come off like Facebook posts that you share to your circle.

    • SF3 on 10/11/2020 - 20:38

      OzB forums is the new Facebook.

    • screensaver on 10/11/2020 - 22:07

      Except there are more trolls than on FB

  • popsiee on 10/11/2020 - 20:34

    OP have some balls and give him a genuine blast !

  • mrama on 10/11/2020 - 22:33
    -6

    no one cares

    how is a certificate or passport valuable? They can be remade or replaced easily.

    • Topdog on 11/11/2020 - 08:40
      +1

      its called ID theft, and the junkies love breaking in for things like this.

      • ThithLord on 11/11/2020 - 09:23

        the junkies love breaking letting themselves in for things like this

        Fixed that for ya

  • AustriaBargain on 11/11/2020 - 02:01

    Buy a door closer and a deadbolt that always requires the key. If you can't count on a realestate agent to lock a door properly, then who can you count on to do it?

  • Mosher on 11/11/2020 - 10:46

    I could be wrong but I thought that someone had to be there when a property inspection took place

  • Mosher on 11/11/2020 - 10:47

    Or maybe if you can leave a bad review on their website

  • baaatender on 11/11/2020 - 11:35

    Install a webcam for security, perhaps?

  • dvsbastard on 11/11/2020 - 12:42

    Ensure you have bikies present during your next inspection.

  • pformag on 11/11/2020 - 14:31
    -2

    This post is whats wrong with this world.

  • screensaver on 11/11/2020 - 16:35

    He must have let the dogs out

  • berger on 11/11/2020 - 22:12

    Sack the agent. Stupid!

  • xers on 11/11/2020 - 22:33
    -3

    What a pathetic post. People make mistake. You didn't lose anything so what else do you want?

    • payton on 12/11/2020 - 12:11

      People make mistake.

      that's a cop out
      there's a 'dropped my phone' mistake, then there's 'accidentally driven someone's car off a cliff' mistake

  • payton on 12/11/2020 - 11:48
    +1

    The people that dismissed OP's concerns … I doubt you'd say that if your house had been burgled

    • 82norm on 12/11/2020 - 13:50

      Yes, the same people who would report it on OZB for advise.

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