Candygirl Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 I wonder if you guys could offer some advice or point us in the right direction? When we signed our lease for our current rental, it was agreed at the time with the owners that a couple of jobs would be dealt with asap. It is now three weeks and nothing has been done. One of the problems poses a security risk and the other could create a pest control problem. We have now been in the property three weeks and our container is due to be delivered on Thursday. I have been telephoning the agent and have been quite friendly and they have said they will see to it, but nothing has been done. Today, I have written quite a formal email to the agent today saying that the current situation is unacceptable and they need to get it sorted PDQ. We also have our first inspection booked for 6/12. What else can we do? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 I wonder if you guys could offer some advice or point us in the right direction? When we signed our lease for our current rental, it was agreed at the time with the owners that a couple of jobs would be dealt with asap. It is now three weeks and nothing has been done. One of the problems poses a security risk and the other could create a pest control problem. We have now been in the property three weeks and our container is due to be delivered on Thursday. I have been telephoning the agent and have been quite friendly and they have said they will see to it, but nothing has been done. Today, I have written quite a formal email to the agent today saying that the current situation is unacceptable and they need to get it sorted PDQ. We also have our first inspection booked for 6/12. What else can we do? TIA CG I dont think there is anything you can do, you have done everything you can really. You might just have to keep hassling them, some things get done quite slowly here, but you are right in thinking that the rental agents need to sort it out! Good luck. pea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 CG I agree with Pea's comments... I don't agree though with the way this has been handled by the rental agent. If you are not happy with the way things are going, you do have recourse through REIWA (Real Estate Institute of WA). Hopefully it won't come to that... and I sincerely hope you are not dealing with Acton Realty... my daughter rents through them and they have been a friggin nightmare for years!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candygirl Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Thanks Guys. No, not with Acton. Funnily enough, they have chosen to ignore our email to them. I am not sure why our first inspection is taking place so early, but it will be interesting one that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Keep corresponding with your Agent by email so that you have a log of contact with them. Take photos of the problem areas for future reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 I would consider some legal advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Citizens Advice Bureau might be a starting point for some advice. Good luck CG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candygirl Posted November 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 I have been reading up on the Tenants Advice Service website. I will give the agent until the end of the week and then will start quoting. Me thinks we might have to start playing them at their own game. It's a bit of a shame really as everything will be directed at the owner, where in this case, I think it is a case of the agent, not pulling their finger out. We liked this agent originally, but have been passed to a different agent, who is not as efficient. My husband reckons we should get the work done ourselves and just deduct it from the rent. I will need to read more about this, in case we are making the position worse for ourselves. A headache I could do without at the moment:nah: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 I have been reading up on the Tenants Advice Service website. I will give the agent until the end of the week and then will start quoting. Me thinks we might have to start playing them at their own game. It's a bit of a shame really as everything will be directed at the owner, where in this case, I think it is a case of the agent, not pulling their finger out. We liked this agent originally, but have been passed to a different agent, who is not as efficient. My husband reckons we should get the work done ourselves and just deduct it from the rent. I will need to read more about this, in case we are making the position worse for ourselves. A headache I could do without at the moment:nah: CG just be careful if you are thinking of doing the work yourself and trying to claim the money back from the Agents. It may be a breach of the tenancy agreement. I can totally understand that you are frustrated at the lack of help from the Agent, but legally it might mean you are in breach of the terms of the Lease, and therefore potentially at their mercy! Doesnt seem fair when you are doing everything possible to recify the problem, but it might not be seen like that from a legal point. Good luck and hope Purd is better. pea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 My husband reckons we should get the work done ourselves and just deduct it from the rent. I will need to read more about this, in case we are making the position worse for ourselves. I wouldn't do this, Pea is right, it will land you in more hot water particularly if the agent looks to unravel their own incompetence. Engage with them only in writing, if they call then follow up the conversation with an email cataloging what has been said and giving them the opportunity to redress any inaccuracies. You may have to consider the cost of any further action. You might very well find yourself pursuing the issues only to have them unresolved and the termination of your tenancy. I would most certainly be getting input from a third party whether REIWA, CA or a lawyer before I did anything else. Sorry you're in this position, whatever the outcome it would be worth reporting the agent to REIWA anyway otherwise some other poor soul may find themselves in a similar situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Agree with Pea. We had a nightmare in our current place where the roof leaked like a sieve for 2 years. You haven't done a winter here, but it gives so much rain that Perth has a higher rainfall than London. But there was not a lot we could do other than move out. Which we didn't want to do. Sadly, the law here is very much in the favor of the landlord. But, some good legal advice might be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 (edited) Possibly the agent believes there is another side to the story and is taking their own advice. They may also have contacted the owner and they may not agree with what needs done. And so rather than replying to your e-mails is keeping their powder dry until a face to face, where they will present their position in relation to the issues. They may be also waiting to contact you until after any action they have put in place starts happening that leads to the rectification of the problems or they could even be awaiting the property owners permission to commence after an agreement has been reached between them. Remember the good ole Wait Awhile syndrum maybe at play here. Regardless there appears to be break down in two way communication, that is not good and only raises the temperature in terms of the problems being accepted and/or any resolution or action. Of course it could simply be good old fashioned non-professionalism and that this particular agent just does not reply to e-mails from renters. Like many above I would not resort to any action until after the face to face. Taking advice in advance is sensible, as it taking any dated photographic evidence, and both will arm you with any relevant facts. Edited November 28, 2013 by StraighttothePoint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 Thanks Guys. No, not with Acton. Funnily enough, they have chosen to ignore our email to them. I am not sure why our first inspection is taking place so early, but it will be interesting one that's for sure. Glad to hear it isn't Acton! Suggest you might like to send your email again with a "Read Receipt" so you know if they have opened it. If they do, you will get a notification email and will have that as evidence also. From what I gather from my daughter's friends who rent, first inspections can be within 30 days of commencement of lease if you have not leased in WA before. Daughter's friends all said to tell you to take photos, with a date on if you can, of everything you have an issue with as this will help in the future. Also they suggested that you have an independent witness with you on the first inspection so you are not alone with the agent. Never rented in WA so have no idea how it works, so only just passing on info from those I know who do.... Let us know how you get on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candygirl Posted November 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Thanks Guys, really appreciate the advice. Having the independent witness is an excellent idea and one that I would never have thought of. The pest control problem was highlighted on the day we moved in and we went straight round to the agent's office with photos that day. They spoke to the owners there and then and it was agreed that things would be sorted, so if people now renague on that, I will be seeking advice from a professional. A verbal contract is just as good as a written one. Well, the agent did email us back to say that she had put in an urgent call to someone to visit the property to give a quote for the repairs. The chap arrived yesterday and has said he will send a quote, but don't expect things to move quickly here. From experience, things take time. He does not like it that way, as he wants the work and just wants to get on with it, but that is how things work here. He cannot deal with the security issue. My OH is a security professional and he could not fix it, so defo too much for a handyman. We have requested that a specialist be sent to the property. I seriously don't know how some people live. The previous tenants must have known about these issues, but said or did nothing. Hopefully, things will get sorted now. We feel that the agent is just too busy and the owners have short arms and long pockets. You live and learn each day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonandsarah Posted November 29, 2013 Report Share Posted November 29, 2013 Thanks Guys, really appreciate the advice. Having the independent witness is an excellent idea and one that I would never have thought of. The pest control problem was highlighted on the day we moved in and we went straight round to the agent's office with photos that day. They spoke to the owners there and then and it was agreed that things would be sorted, so if people now renague on that, I will be seeking advice from a professional. A verbal contract is just as good as a written one. Well, the agent did email us back to say that she had put in an urgent call to someone to visit the property to give a quote for the repairs. The chap arrived yesterday and has said he will send a quote, but don't expect things to move quickly here. From experience, things take time. He does not like it that way, as he wants the work and just wants to get on with it, but that is how things work here. He cannot deal with the security issue. My OH is a security professional and he could not fix it, so defo too much for a handyman. We have requested that a specialist be sent to the property. I seriously don't know how some people live. The previous tenants must have known about these issues, but said or did nothing. Hopefully, things will get sorted now. We feel that the agent is just too busy and the owners have short arms and long pockets. You live and learn each day! My agent is good its the owner that is useless ive been waiting 3 months to see if i can put a curtain pole up in the living room and our bedroom, agents keeps asking him he doesnt reply. It also stated on our tenancy agreement that the carpet in the front room was badly stained and would be replaced as it was taken from the last tennants bond, moved in in may and its still not done, hes told the agent he cant afford to do it yet!!!! Cant wait until i can buy my own home instead i hate renting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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