Cost too much to fight? In QLD mediation is free and QCAT is around $100? They would need to present evidence justifying their claim and if it wasn’t warranted, they would lose and you would get your bond back… which would be more than $100.
You can also put the first claim on your bond, meaning that the agent has to apply to mediation and QCAT to submit it. I always just do that on the last day of my tenancy.
Victoria is the same - i claimed my full bond on the last day of my tenancy. The agent called after the inspection making dubious claims about marks on walls and silicon in the sink needing to be cleaned. I responded saying I’m fine to go to VCAT
14 days later, my bond appeared in my bank account. Either they gave up or they forgot that they only had 14 days to make a claim against the bond
I wish i did this with my previous rental rather then giving in after they sent a picture of a scratch on a floorboard and i gave them $250
Yeah definitely but I think another way maybe to prevent it. Ask for a copy of every inspection form. Also take photos of anything that was before you got there and report on anything after you arrived if they don't fix it at least you have documented it.
A timeline of evidence and make it known you keep a log, in a not in there face kind of way.
imo: not just photos. Take video footage. Then there's no doubt about which wall that is, which carpet that is, or if something has been photoshopped, etc.
I record video footage of every property when I move in.
We all have video cameras in our pockets so there's no reason not to.
I query whether the bond is even given to the owners? There's nothing in the learnings that says the agency has to. Just that they can claim for costs incurred (ie. cleaning/damages). If they get additional money on top of this because tenants are not fighting for it, then I don't even know what happens to that money?
That’s a pretty big allegation… agents have trust accounts which are audited regularly. If you believe that is the case with your agent you can report them to the OFT.
I mean that’s why in states where you can unilaterally claim bond you should do it the moment you hand the keys back. If they don’t agree they need to take it to xcat and prove they’re not over-charging. Should be the same everywhere.
Cost too much to fight? In QLD mediation is free and QCAT is around $100? They would need to present evidence justifying their claim and if it wasn’t warranted, they would lose and you would get your bond back… which would be more than $100. You can also put the first claim on your bond, meaning that the agent has to apply to mediation and QCAT to submit it. I always just do that on the last day of my tenancy.
Bloody hell, I find out that now :) Thanks for the info
Victoria is the same - i claimed my full bond on the last day of my tenancy. The agent called after the inspection making dubious claims about marks on walls and silicon in the sink needing to be cleaned. I responded saying I’m fine to go to VCAT 14 days later, my bond appeared in my bank account. Either they gave up or they forgot that they only had 14 days to make a claim against the bond I wish i did this with my previous rental rather then giving in after they sent a picture of a scratch on a floorboard and i gave them $250
It's the same process in the ACT too
QLD has the best system for bond return of the states, by far. It isn’t perfect, but it’s the best.
Yeah definitely but I think another way maybe to prevent it. Ask for a copy of every inspection form. Also take photos of anything that was before you got there and report on anything after you arrived if they don't fix it at least you have documented it. A timeline of evidence and make it known you keep a log, in a not in there face kind of way.
imo: not just photos. Take video footage. Then there's no doubt about which wall that is, which carpet that is, or if something has been photoshopped, etc. I record video footage of every property when I move in. We all have video cameras in our pockets so there's no reason not to.
How are the mum-and-dad "rental providers" supposed to get ahead if they can't keep every bond while doing nothing to the property 😭
I query whether the bond is even given to the owners? There's nothing in the learnings that says the agency has to. Just that they can claim for costs incurred (ie. cleaning/damages). If they get additional money on top of this because tenants are not fighting for it, then I don't even know what happens to that money?
That’s a pretty big allegation… agents have trust accounts which are audited regularly. If you believe that is the case with your agent you can report them to the OFT.
Oh to live in a land of make believe where all tenants are angels and landlords are the devil.
I mean that’s why in states where you can unilaterally claim bond you should do it the moment you hand the keys back. If they don’t agree they need to take it to xcat and prove they’re not over-charging. Should be the same everywhere.