Landlord Withholding Bond - Is This Repairable? (Solved)

ipocoyo on 13/01/2023 - 14:56
Last edited 15/01/2023 - 21:14 by 2 other users

Hey all,

My Landlord is withholding $600 due to a chip on the bathroom sink.

As quoted within the report:

"BROKEN PIECES on Master bedroom Wastafel or Basin. (We checked with a handyman and couldn't be fixed, so replacement cost $600)."

Is this reasonable?

Thanks.

Edit:

Forgot to mention I Accidentally dropped my cologne bottle over it.

Renting there for 3 years.

Landlord is also withholding $150 of the bond due to a ding on the kitchen surface.

Cheers.

Edit 2:

Thanks all.

I think some people might have misinterpreted my initial question (my fault!).

Just asking whether or not $600 was a bit too much to replace a sink, not whether I should be liable to pay it or not.

That being said, I have concluded that I will offer to pay a portion of the replacement cost.

Update: Thanks all, I have concluded that I will offer to pay a portion of the replacement cost.

Comments

4Eva on 15/01/2023 - 12:31

+1

Crowd fund your repair. lol.
nigel deborah on 15/01/2023 - 13:54

Not MICM is it? Fittings look just like central equity projects in Melbourne.

I had issues with them and found out they're notorious for rubbish bond claims. In your photos it does look like they have a case, but if in doubt just go to VCAT hearing about it. They can't demand any more than their original quote to you for repairs, so even if you lose, nothing more out of your pocket. Decent chance they won't bother as the agent likely charges fees in the 100s just to represent the rental provider (they WILL lodge at VCAT but might just pull out later in the process).

Also, very good advice above about depreciation values - even after 3 years, they should not be charging full price for the replacement, it needs to be adjusted for depreciation / useful life. If the replacement is $600, then it might be a 20-30% reduction even after 3 years, assuming it was new when you moved in.
Shame on 15/01/2023 - 15:11

-1

Pay the $600 then go to bunnings and buy a bottle of stump remover. Put product around one house stump and wait 5 years.