Property Agent Not Returning My Bond Back and Won't Return My Calls or Messages

saymyname on 04/01/2021 - 15:46
Last edited 04/01/2021 - 15:59 by 1 other user

Hello everyone,

About a month ago, I vacated my first rental property in Australia and the property agent is not returning my bond back. He is also not returning my calls or messages. There was a leakage problem happening from the upstairs communal laundry room to my kitchen downstairs which led to mould formation. I notified the agent about this when he came for inspection during the first week of November. But he refused to fix it and asked me to clean it temporarily instead and asked me to look for another property.

I managed to find another property within few days and notified the agent a week before I vacated. He wanted to claim $150 towards steam cleaning and other cleaning which I'm fine with. But he also wanted to claim a few weeks rent saying that I haven't given him 21 days notice.

Now, Why should I give him 21 day notice when there is a health hazard in the property because of the leakage which he is supposed to fix but he refused to fix it?

I asked him this question and since then he is not returning my calls or messages. Once he asked me to come to his office (on 26th December) which is 50 KM away from the place I live to talk about the bond. When I went there the main door was locked and he did not answer my calls or text messages. I stood there for 2 hours before I returned home without seeing him. He is just abusing me for quite sometime. By the way, I'm living in South Australia.

Any help from you guys on how I should take this further is much appreciated. Thanks.

Cheers.

• 

  soan papdi on 04/01/2021 - 15:52

  +4

  https://www.syc.net.au/home/rentrightsa/
  We can help with issues related to your tenancy such as leases, bond disputes, property maintenance and unpaid rent. Tenancy advisors are available to anyone in South Australia, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, via phone and email.

  • Support to sustain or access a residential tenancy
  • Education and information about a tenant’s rights and responsibilities
  • Advocacy and advice regarding tenancy issues and the housing options available
    
    • Help navigating the housing system

  We can also help you access legal services, health services, and social services to sustain your tenancy. Our tenancy team are experienced with SACAT proceedings. We can support tenants to make sure they are fairly represented through the process.

  • 

    saymyname on 04/01/2021 - 20:43

    Thanks for your response. I will try that.

• 

  Hybroid on 04/01/2021 - 15:52

  +1

  Tell them in writing, preferably e-mail, that you will be submitting this issue to http://www.sacat.sa.gov.au.

  Ideally, write out a whole state of play of all the things that have happened to-date with clear concise dates and statements of fact (no emotions or opinions), then say if this matter is not resolved in 7 or 14 days, you will be lodging a case at SACAT (or other applicable organisation).

  Most people once they see a well documented body of evidence against them will suddenly perk up to make it 'go away'. Good luck.

  SACAT is an independent judicial body that has authority to make legally binding decisions in disputes between landlords and tenants. SACAT can help with private rental, public and community housing, residential parks, rooming houses and lifestyle villages.

  https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/resolving-problems-and-…

  • 

    saymyname on 04/01/2021 - 20:43

    Thanks for your response. That seems like a good idea. I will try that.

• 

  bobbified on 04/01/2021 - 16:03

  +11

  This is not the first time you've had trouble with this agent. And even that was not the first time you've had issues with the place you were renting. Previously, you also "got cheated" by a car salesman.

  While I wouldn't trust either real estate agents or car salesmen, I'm starting to wonder whether the thing that's common to all the above problems is the actual problem. 🤔

  • 

    CyberMurning on 04/01/2021 - 16:12

    good detective works Bob.
    probably tough life in SA

  • 

    elgrande on 04/01/2021 - 16:12

    The OzBargain forums?..

    • 

      bobbified on 04/01/2021 - 16:37

      Well, of course - what else would I be talking about? 🤣😂

  • 

    Cartman2530 on 04/01/2021 - 18:36

    +1

    Rental agents and car salesmen, enough said!

• 

  bobkin on 04/01/2021 - 19:07

  +6

  In South Australia you can just request your bond directly via Residential Bonds Online. See here: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/renting-and-letting/res…

  This will put the onus on the agent to decline your application for the refund of your bond and to initiate sacat proceedings, rather than the onus being on you to chase them.

  • 

    saymyname on 04/01/2021 - 20:42

    Thanks for your response. Like I said, this is my first rental property in Australia and I wasn't sure initially about this Residential Bonds Online. Apparently, my agent did not lodge my bond with RBO. So I cannot request my bond via RBO.

    • 

      bobkin on 04/01/2021 - 20:53

      +4

      This happened to us in our last rental. This is illegal. You need to contact consumer and business services (phone 131 882). They were very helpful when I phoned. Someone ended up contacting me to get more details as they were going to fine the agent. Here is the thread from when it happened to me: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/400086

      • 

        saymyname on 04/01/2021 - 21:02

        Thanks mate. That was very helpful. I will do that first thing tomorrow morning.

• 

  belesci on 04/01/2021 - 22:16

  +1

  I would first check the status of the bond.
  Check
  https://secure.cbs.sa.gov.au/OLR/IVR/public/CheckBondStatus.…

• 

  dscott85 on 04/01/2021 - 23:15

  +2

  This agent sounds like a real piece of work, hope your able to get your bond back.

  Sorry no helpful advice to give, but ggop, Hybroid & bobkin seem to have you covered; best of luck.

• 

  bobkin on 23/01/2021 - 23:58

  What was the outcome?