Hi there sisterhood, i have a question to ask. We were renting for 4 years, no bond or contract, landlord only wanted cash. We did everything right, paid rent in time, kept place clean and tidy. When we moved out i hired a bond cleaner, she did the worst job possible ( cant get into contact with her surprise surprise) landlord wasnt happy, i went back and went over everything as she tells me it was emaculate when we moved in. Still wasnt happy with inside or out, hired someone to cut all the trees back as that is what she wanted, the list goes on and shes STILL not happy, we even gurnied the gutters and patio! She has apparently hired another bond cleaner to " get it back to standard, " which happens to be her friend and telling us we need to pay her.Shes telling me we owe another weeks rent as its rolled onto another week. I guess my question is, are we in the wrong? We have done everything we could to make this place up to her standard but she still isnt happy!
9 Replies
Hmm, she sounds shifty as...
Without any kind of lease or legal contract, you weren't really obligated to do anything you already have. It's very murky waters here now because it's all been a verbal/good faith sort of arrangement.
I would honestly consider getting some legal advice, the tenancy union in your state would probably be able to help at least point you in the right direction.
But, if you're in a position to, it may just be worth paying her to save the hassle and to avoid antagonizing her if you paid your rent in cash and have no receipts/proof, because she could get spiteful and hit you up for that too.
If you have proof of rent, id fight it tooth and nail.
Any contact you have with her going forward, do it via email so you have a paper trail if need be.
Definitely be wary of landlords who only want cash and no contracts in future, it's super dodgy.
Maybe test the waters and tell her you plan to see advice from the tenancy board. Check the appropriate title for your state. Take pics of how you have left it too.
If she has insisted on cash it maybe that she hasn’t claimed your rent as an income.
Exactly what I was thinking! Every house I have rented has been bank deposit, even my first house 30 years ago my partner was paid cash but our landlord insisted the rent be deposited into their account which I thought was a pain back then but I see now they just wanted clear records of it. Definitely up to no good if only wanting cash and I bet she will need a new pair of undies if you mention the tenancy board!
For the future OP, photos, photos and photos! Do not rely on the land lords or agents photos they are usually old. Also make sure your bond has gone into a bonds trust, Sign a lease and read every bit of it.
If you have cleaned it to the same standard as when you moved in, and you have left no damage, just walk away. Tell the landlord to take you to the tenancy tribunal. I doubt they will as I would assume that all the rent has not been declared to the taxman and they will not want to draw attention to themselves.
She is rorting you. With out a lease, don’t bother. It’s not legal. Just give someone else’s details when you apply for other houses. Ask her for the ingoing photos. She is just using your money to get her house looking nee again.don’t do anymore or agree to anymore there is no lease.
Bluff her and tell her you have contacted the RTA and they have advised you to contact ATO and request a rental income statement 😂😂 coz I garuntee she isn’t paying tax!! Bluff her.
Nope you don't have to make it to her standards. Do you have photos on entry. Always take and keep photos on entry. Do an entry report. If there's no bond or contract then there's no obligation at all, it's all in the contract. Definitely do not pay her any more rent.
Always take photos of everything. Iv been done by realotors befor so now I cover my ass. I photo everything the day I move in, to the day I hand keys in
Walk away. No bond, no contract and sounds like you have tried to meet request. I doubt she has entry photos/condition reports or declared to tenancy or tax.
I rented from someone like that. Luckily for me it was a family owned property and two parts of the three were decent as they said one part was being ridiculous.