First Month Done

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First Month Done; Well almost :)
Topic Started: 24 Dec 2007, 01:52 PM (783 Views)
ValeSpark	24 Dec 2007, 01:52 PM Post #1
Addicted Member Posts: 361 Group: Members Member #906 Joined: 11 September 2006 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Mood Feeling better My Location Lost on location	Hi, Just thought I would update briefly before the Christmas break. Well we finally have a rental, but its been a trying time. We thought we were sorted a couple of weeks ago, we a place in Williamstown, that suited us for schools etc, however looks can be deceiving. We inspected along with about 7 or 8 families in the alloted 15 minutes Open For Inspection window (What a joke they are!) Ok, it looked abit tatty, but the tenants were still moving out, and the agent promised it would be all cleaned up etc. So we put in the application and Bingo, we were accepted. We were told 4 lots had applied. Anyway, then told we must deposit $1800 within 24 hours by bankers cheque to secure. Lease signing we could do at the weekend in their office. Ruth gets a cheque raised from the bank and we are allowed to pick up the keys the next day to check a couple of bits over. (Tenants have now left and the house is apparently ready). Ruth duly collects the keys and goes over with our daughter (8) to have a look. She calls me at work, trying to sound upbeat about it, but obviously not a happy bunny, phrases like.... it will be ok when weve cleaned it etc, filled the conversation. I arrive home from work and we go round. OK, its abit grim and a bit dirty but we can fix that. Open up the doors onto the balcony off of our bedroom, Jasmin steps out, places hand on ballastrade and ballastrade comes away :ugh: I do a quick pull and kick, the whole balcony hand rail system is rotten, and only staying in place by virtue of the paint. We hastily exit......... Next day call agent and indicate that the house is not fit for rental, safety concerns ect etc. Oh, they say, we will get landlord to have a look. You do want you want I say, but we will not be signing the lease, and want our deposit back. To date deposit has not been returned, but we have been advised by consumer affairs that it should do, and the agent is just trying it on. So next stop will probably be a letter to advise agent that we will pursue them through the courts. So, having loved Williamstown but exhausted the very short list of potential properties we went off to Sanctuary Lakes. We have now got the keys to a lovely house here, and are awaiting our furntiture. Jasmin is enrolled into the Jamieson Campus of Callanballac, and will start in Year 3 at the end of January. It feels much better to have a home, and will be great once the furniture arrives so that we can move in. Christmas is apparently tomorrow, although I don't feel it at all. Anyway, I hope you all have a good one, and our next update will talk about more positive things. Pete Ruth and Jasmin :waving:



koalakim	24 Dec 2007, 02:16 PM Post #2
Legend Posts: 4,240 Group: Members Member #889 Joined: 1 September 2006 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Location Mornington	Hi Pete, Ruth and Jasmin It was lovely to meet you last weekend! Glad you have now found somewhere nice now, some of the rentals are horrors. It makes you wonder how on earth they can even legally let them out. Hope things improve from now on and have a great unChristmassy Christmas! Best wishes Kim



Thebears	26 Dec 2007, 08:22 AM Post #3
Posts: 2,166 Group: Moderators Member #798 Joined: 8 July 2006 Migration Status Temporary Resident My Mood GO CATS GO My Location Malvern East	ValeSpark Dec 24 2007, 01:52 PM Hi, Just thought I would update briefly before the Christmas break. Well we finally have a rental, but its been a trying time. We thought we were sorted a couple of weeks ago, we a place in Williamstown, that suited us for schools etc, however looks can be deceiving. We inspected along with about 7 or 8 families in the alloted 15 minutes Open For Inspection window (What a joke they are!) Ok, it looked abit tatty, but the tenants were still moving out, and the agent promised it would be all cleaned up etc. So we put in the application and Bingo, we were accepted. We were told 4 lots had applied. Anyway, then told we must deposit $1800 within 24 hours by bankers cheque to secure. Lease signing we could do at the weekend in their office. Ruth gets a cheque raised from the bank and we are allowed to pick up the keys the next day to check a couple of bits over. (Tenants have now left and the house is apparently ready). Ruth duly collects the keys and goes over with our daughter (8) to have a look. She calls me at work, trying to sound upbeat about it, but obviously not a happy bunny, phrases like.... it will be ok when weve cleaned it etc, filled the conversation. I arrive home from work and we go round. OK, its abit grim and a bit dirty but we can fix that. Open up the doors onto the balcony off of our bedroom, Jasmin steps out, places hand on ballastrade and ballastrade comes away :ugh: I do a quick pull and kick, the whole balcony hand rail system is rotten, and only staying in place by virtue of the paint. We hastily exit......... Next day call agent and indicate that the house is not fit for rental, safety concerns ect etc. Oh, they say, we will get landlord to have a look. You do want you want I say, but we will not be signing the lease, and want our deposit back. To date deposit has not been returned, but we have been advised by consumer affairs that it should do, and the agent is just trying it on. So next stop will probably be a letter to advise agent that we will pursue them through the courts. So, having loved Williamstown but exhausted the very short list of potential properties we went off to Sanctuary Lakes. We have now got the keys to a lovely house here, and are awaiting our furntiture. Jasmin is enrolled into the Jamieson Campus of Callanballac, and will start in Year 3 at the end of January. It feels much better to have a home, and will be great once the furniture arrives so that we can move in. Christmas is apparently tomorrow, although I don't feel it at all. Anyway, I hope you all have a good one, and our next update will talk about more positive things. Pete Ruth and Jasmin :waving: No need for court Pete Just contact VICAT - refer the little red book the agents are required to give you.



Gail.C	27 Dec 2007, 09:08 AM Post #4
A phenomenon Posts: 1,069 Group: Members Member #1,062 Joined: 30 December 2006 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Location Port Melbourne	What a difficult time you had. I'm glad it all worked out in the end. Regards Gail



Lindsay Clan	28 Dec 2007, 02:17 PM Post #5
Posts: 3,255 Group: Moderators Member #144 Joined: 22 December 2004 Migration Status Citizen My Mood Content My Location Pakenham, VIC, Australia	Hope you'll all be very happy in your home in SL and here's to a fantastic start to 2008 for you :Beer: :waving:



Maggie	31 Dec 2007, 01:29 AM Post #6
Elite Member Posts: 684 Group: Members Member #711 Joined: 11 May 2006 Migration Status Citizen My Location Cowes, Phillip Island, Victoria	What a nightmare. So glad you have found a nice place to live, but what if you had needed that money to get another place? Tell the agent you are about to go to the local papers with a letter ( they'll print anything here!) whilst seeking legal advice about the close shave your daughter had and the risk to your health. Good luck, Maggie



Chris & Becci	31 Dec 2007, 08:45 AM Post #7
Member Posts: 90 Group: Members Member #1,757 Joined: 24 October 2007	Hello! Glad you are sorted with a rental! We have had similar problems. Our agent has basically rented us a flat which has so many niggling little faults they clearly have no intention of fixing. Safety wise, for example, the smoke alarm is not working. We'll get the bottom of it, but frankly the agents here don't even know they are born as far as rentals are concerned. Its a sellers market and there are too many people here that wouldn't bother complaining. They really wind me up. Much as I'd like to go down there an wail hard, I know we may need to rent from them again in 12 months time so I best be polite! Grrr.



ValeSpark	2 Jan 2008, 04:47 PM Post #8
Addicted Member Posts: 361 Group: Members Member #906 Joined: 11 September 2006 Migration Status Permanent Resident My Mood Feeling better My Location Lost on location	Thanks for all the support Guys. Jasmin enjoyed Christmas..... even if it felt different..... I don't think she cared too much :D Posted Image Posted Image Pete



Lindsay Clan	2 Jan 2008, 07:37 PM Post #9
Posts: 3,255 Group: Moderators Member #144 Joined: 22 December 2004 Migration Status Citizen My Mood Content My Location Pakenham, VIC, Australia	Looks like she's having a ball!


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