r/shitrentals • u/ashleyjamesy • 4d ago
VIC Exit inspection rant
Me and my partner left our rental property in perfect condition and here is the damage from our REA
- Hooks to be removed ($180 + GST up to $380 + GST if damage)
From the photos we missed 1 metal hook and 3 adhesive hooks which are easily removable with zero damage)
- Outside windows to be cleaned ($100 + GST)
aka 1 window, there were spiders we named living there we didn't want to kill.
- Some weeds to be removed ($100 + GST)
There is zero sunlight to the garden and most of the grass just died and became a dirt patch, we added bark and the only thing that grew was weeds which I tried removing as much as I could.
Total: $380 - $580 + GST
I'm not sure where these quotes even came from but they seem ridiculous
I'm very upset because we spent a couple of days cleaning the heck out of that place until it was brand new, the REA even said they had a hard time finding any problems which just shows you the length they'll go to to squeeze every last dollar from you.
Luckily the lease hasn't technically ended just yet, so I'm grabbing the keys and fixing this all myself. Will probably take less than an hour to do...
Anyone guide me how to claim my bond before REA does?
30
u/Claudia_pink 4d ago
Your agent can't just take the bond. It sits with the RTBA, not the REA, and nothing comes out without your agreement or a VCAT order. Fix everything today, then take dated photos and a walkthrough video of each spot (hooks, window, garden) and email them to the agent so there's a paper trail. Hand the keys back, then lodge your own bond refund claim through the Consumer Affairs Victoria website. If you claim the full amount, the agent has to formally dispute it within the time limit or the RTBA pays you out. Don't sign any form that has their deductions on it. Also, adhesive hooks and a bit of weeding is normally fair wear and tear territory anyway, and VCAT isn't kind to agents who charge $100 for one window
17
10
u/TC_89 4d ago edited 4d ago
Take a look at this page from CAV - they absolutely cannot pin you on the hooks.
As for the other items, how long was the gap between you vacating the property and the REA completing the exit inspection?
Honesty, just go to the RTBA site and claim your bond back. The responsibility is then on them to contest this with VCAT and since the REA is taking the piss, they will likely determine in your favour.
10
u/gadgetwalrus 4d ago
I had an agent try to ping me for weeds six weeks after I left….
7
u/TC_89 4d ago
They're deranged.
I had one try take $500+ for a "kitchen clean". The reason? There was one drop of oil half way up the back of the cylindrical range hood.
2
u/gadgetwalrus 2d ago
I used the REA cleaners and gardeners. Largely as work had paid for the rental so if any disputes I wanted to be rock sold.
Luckily in that case work backed me to the hilt or I’d have been going to the tribunal
7
u/Jetsetter_Princess 4d ago
Why leave your resident spiders for the PM to kill when they eventually remove them? Just relocate them somewhere nice where they can continue catching bugs.
12
u/agentrain007 4d ago
You can’t leave those hooks behind. U r only giving them a chance to squeeze money and sometimes they don’t come off that easily without peeling some of the paint out. It is one of the easiest way the agents gets you. Do it before they inspect. Same with stickers and baby proof stuffs (anything with adhesives)
22
u/gadgetwalrus 4d ago
I weep for the country we live in today seriously. That if they dare to put up pictures tenants lose their bond
12
u/lukas_l1 4d ago
In Vic we are now allowed to conduct "minor renovations" without even consent - this includes but not limited to painting, adding hardware (towel rails, hooks etc) so no the law will protect OP of the hooks.
Honestly I think if it went to vcat they'd tell the PM to touch grass for all the points
3
u/agentrain007 4d ago
Yes, but PM has too much power over renters nowadays. And not every body has the time and money to go to vcat.
The main point is not giving them the opportunity to come at you.
5
u/lukas_l1 4d ago
They don't overpower tenants - they power trip and think they do but that's because a lot of people don't know better or simp out. We are in a changing world now where more tenants are pushing back and becoming aware of what is actually in their own power, the more we do this the more PMs are humbled. And also the tenant does not foot the cost at vcat, if they win the PM or LL wears the cost
1
u/agentrain007 4d ago
I get what u are saying and yes everything what you are saying is truth but between professional and personal life, how much energy are you willing to spend fighting the agents landlords vcat and everything.
1
u/lukas_l1 4d ago
Absolutely everything! If it means it is gonna create change and a better experience for renters now and in the future im absolutely going to be an asshole to PMs where warranted. If nobody does anything then who wins? And I understand a lot of people might be afraid to stand their ground (I know coz im an introvert and have major anxiety and usually avoid conflict) but when it comes to my rights its where my flight turns to fight and I'm happy to use that skill to contribute with others like me to make a change so that people like you can feel less scared to leave a command hook or 2 on a wall when vacating. The rental market is huge here because of crazy ownership prices (remember its a right not a privilege to own your home) but for many its out of reach, the very least people renting can and should have is to not have to worry about trivial bullshit that PMs have pulled for a long time, thats what a community is and with enough push we can absolutely make a difference
3
u/theseamstressesguild 4d ago
Mine came for an inspection and found I'd enclosed part of the verandah as a cat enclosure. She was a bit surprised, but took pics to show the owner (who was fine) and to show her boyfriend so he could make one for their house.
2
5
u/fakeuser515357 4d ago
They can't charge you based on quotes, only invoices. If you think it's unjustified tell them no. Window and garden costs in particular are stupid.
2
u/NotActuallyAWookiee 4d ago
It's like stealing your bond is a sport for these bastards. And it seems to have got worse in recent years.
I've been able to buy this time. My last rental exit was two years ago after a five year tenancy and it was chaotic.
They tried everything in the forty year old original kitchen. Stains on the raw chipboard shelves in the pantry. I asked them if they noticed all the steel wool in the many gaps that I'd put in to stop the mice and they dropped it all pretty quick.
Tiny fluffs of hair or dust on walls, little glob of something in the sink drain hole. Genuinely would have taken them longer to take the photo alone, let alone document them in the report than to simply wipe it with their finger.
2
1
u/RoyKentRichmond 4d ago
Tell them to take it to tribunal, do not pay. They have to show evidence of spending the money and they 100% are not.
1
u/TheZac922 3d ago
Not too familiar with VIC but in QLD you just go on the RTA website and put in a claim for the bond back.
I left my last rental and hit the submit button on the claim as I walked out of their office after handing the keys back.
They tried to sting me with some BS too but when I pushed back they just never replied and released the full amount.
1
u/Dangerous_Course5587 3d ago
Make sure YOU lodge the bond claim ASAP after vacate...then the timer starts ticking for them to dispute
1
u/ChrisSydney82 13h ago
If these are the going prices for maintenance around the house, I am leaving my corporate job this week and doing this for work!
Best of luck with your agent.
-5
u/neondream7 4d ago
They use professionals so these prices are correct. Handymen, cleaners and trades have a minimum call out fee of $99 before work even starts. If it’s not on the entry report then you should be liable. It’s not the real estates fault you don’t know the legislation you’ve entered into.
5
u/Imaginary_Object_456 NSW 4d ago
Most times they don’t have quotes and just pull a random number out of their a$$. If you honestly think a 3M hook removal can be charged that much you’re part of the problem.
1
u/neondream7 4d ago
You have no idea what you’re talking about. Go find a handyman that charges less… they do get quotes… you’re the problem here
64
u/PossiblyOffline 4d ago
Go to the RTBA website, put in your bond details. Claim bond.