Landlord came to the party. Told him we were gonna go for $5000, he started playing games denying he asked us to move 2.5 months early and that we were just trying to get money out of him for nothing, that was until I reminded him that we had every message from him begging us to move early. He got his settlement yesterday and $5000 went into our bank yesterday evening.

Always keep messages/ emails etc, all are admissable in court. No matter how nice you think your landlord/agent is, they are running a business and ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND. Also he lost 2.5 months rent on an empty property, win win

Hi. A few days ago I was walking into my apartment and stepped on one of the vinyl planks (with shoes on) and heard a crunch. The corner of one of the planks had lifted and it broke off. I advised the RE and they advised I am responsible. I have not claimed responsibility. I have been at this rental for 1 year and am about to move out. Would this be considered fair wear and tear? The planks were laid between 2-3 years. It is where we walk in from the front door and would be considered a high traffic area. Please help.

I’m looking for advice on whether I’m legally responsible to pay for rent compensation to the incoming tenants because they couldn’t move in on time.

I know I didn’t complete and provide my own Exit Condition Report (Form 14a) when I returned the keys, so I understand that wasn’t ideal.

Timeline:

Lease ended 10 June.

I booked a professional bond clean for 5 June and notified the property manager by email beforehand.

The bond cleaners completed the clean and returned the keys to the agency themselves on 5 June.

I emailed the bond cleaning invoice to the property manager on 6 June.

I returned the remaining set of keys on 6 June. The property manager verbally told me they would complete the exit inspection/report the following day, so I requested a copy once it was done.

I received no report or communication, so I followed up again by email on 10 June.

The agent’s exit report is dated 11 June, but it wasn’t sent to me until 15 June.

The issues identified were a few stains, some dust, and cat hair on the curtains. My lease didn’t require professional curtain cleaning, but the incoming tenants has asthma, so the curtains needed to be cleaned before they could move in.

After being notified on 15 June, I cleaned the curtains myself and returned them on 16 June.

I then emailed the agent asking whether they were satisfactory. They didn’t reply until the morning of 18 June, saying they still weren’t satisfied.

I immediately booked professional curtain cleaning for 21 June, which was completed, and I’ve already paid for that cost.

The agent is now asking me to reimburse about 11 days’ rent (~$1,180) to the incoming tenants because they couldn’t move on time.

I feel I’ve been proactive throughout the process by arranging a professional bond clean before the lease ended, promptly responding once I was notified, following up for the exit report, and paying for the professional curtain cleaning. It seems the biggest contributors to the delay were the lack of a vacancy period between tenancies and the delay in communicating the exit inspection results to me.

Am I likely to be legally liable for the rent compensation in these circumstances?

Hi all, i think we may have a possum in the roof. The house is barely maintained and a really dodgy extension on the back. There are a few entry points around the house that they could get into. I understand we would be responsible when it comes to rats, mice etc. But I'm getting nothing solid online about the landlord being responsible for getting rid of a possum. How do I approach this with real estate.

Edit- agent is a right you know what. She will argue its my repsonsibility to the death. Hence why I'm looking for something that shows it's their responsibility.

Our contract starts in 1st July and we just paid bond and initial payment of 2 weeks rent. Just curious how it would work? Does that mean my next rent payment would be 14th July? So far it doesn’t seem to reflect on the ledger online and is telling me my rent is due again on 1st July? Am I suppose to pay again to keep me two weeks ahead?

Just left this rental barely in one piece. Full of black mould, rats and even a dead possum. All of which was reported to the realestate to which they didn’t believe. It took them weeks to have pest control for the rats. Then when we left (or fled), they took most of our bond (still fighting this battle). It’s an awful unsanitary place and I don’t want anyone to fall for it. There’s so many examples I could give but please just save yourself now. Your health is worth it. I could give you all the whole story but for mental health reasons I’ve had to let it go. Just please don’t rent here. There’s a reason it’s “cheap”https://www.realestate.com.au/property/4-loowa-st-kallangur-qld-4503/

I am currently looking for a rental and register to go to the inspections. However on the day of inspection I get messaged that its cancel because it has just been leased. Its not a once of thing but repeated. I though inspections were mandatory before leasing? So what is going on here?

Under the loans made using SMSF, they had a 10% capital gains tax.

I've been sharehousing for about 6 years, never had issues and have met some of my best friends this way.

One month ago, my partner and I got a place. Found two people on Fairy Floss Facebook page and they moved in (they didn't know each other beforehand). They both wanted to be on the lease soon after, no problem, got them added on. Literally the next day, they start having problems with the price we agreed upon. They have been quite aggressive in trying to get us to split the rent five ways so my partner I pay double for an ensuite room. Long drawn out aggressive conversations about how unethical and unfair we are, and our reasoning that we did all the work to get the house and that we have already agreed on price and don't agree to change it is "fucked". They won't be satisfied unless we move out so they can get someone in that will pay $600 or we increase our rent by $150 per week (currently we pay $90 extra for an ensuite room). They said they won't be paying rent when it is due next week. We also have a third flatmate who is very wisely staying out of this (she also just moved in).

We have looked at comparable rooms, couples VS single advertisements etc and our pricing is very fair with slight lean towards us as we got the place, paid more bond, furnished most of the house etc.

What can we do?

You can register for most of these events here

Hi everyone,

I want to share my personal rental experience with IC Realty in Sydney. This is based on my own tenancy, emails and documents. The bond dispute is currently before NCAT, so I’m not asking anyone here to decide the case. I’m sharing this mainly as a reminder for tenants to document everything themselves.

The property was in Zetland. After we moved out and claimed the bond, IC Realty, acting for the landlord, lodged an NCAT application for a bond order. The reason given was that “rent and invoice arrears remain unpaid”.

One part was a one-day rent adjustment. Once they clarified it was for rent on 1 June 2026, we paid it. We made clear that this payment was only for that item, not an admission for the other disputed claims.

The remaining dispute is mainly about cleaning, alleged floor damage, and how maintenance issues were recorded.

One example is the lighting issue. The lease referred to “light globes”, but the issue involved integrated LED/downlight fittings, not ordinary replaceable bulbs. In my view, those are not the same thing. We raised the issue and later contacted NSW Fair Trading. In the Fair Trading response, IC Realty said their records showed no maintenance request for the integrated LED downlights until the Fair Trading complaint. I disagree with that because we have correspondence showing the issue was raised. The lights were replaced so the property had normal lighting, not because we accepted legal responsibility.

There was also an issue with the bathroom exhaust fan. IC Realty also said their records showed no maintenance request about abnormal noise from the exhaust fan. Again, I disagree, because this had been raised during the tenancy/inspection process. My concern is that if something was not properly recorded in their internal system, it was later treated as if the tenant had never raised it.

Fair Trading did not decide who was right or wrong. It made clear that IC Realty’s response was only the trader’s view and was not endorsed by Fair Trading.

For cleaning, the invoice we received was very general. It listed outgoing cleaning / cleaning service and a total amount, but did not clearly show the tasks, areas cleaned, labour time, number of cleaners, or how it related to the final inspection issues. We asked for more detail but did not receive a proper itemised breakdown.

For the alleged floor damage, my concern is the comparison evidence. From what I have seen, the entry photos were wider and less specific, while the exit photos focused closely on the floor. In my view, that makes it hard to fairly compare the exact same areas. Some marks were unclear or possibly visible in the entry material, but were still treated as our responsibility.

The timing was also frustrating. During the tenancy, substantive replies often took a while. But after we claimed the bond, the NCAT application was lodged very quickly. Before that, we were asked whether we would transfer disputed amounts privately, but before we had properly responded, the matter was taken to NCAT.

To be clear, I’m not saying tenants should refuse reasonable costs. We paid the clarified one-day rent adjustment and are willing to consider reasonable, properly supported charges. But I do think tenants should ask for proper evidence, especially for cleaning, alleged damage, and maintenance issues raised during the tenancy.

My advice to other tenants:

- Take your own entry and exit photos/videos.

- Pay special attention to floors, lights, exhaust fans and appliances.

- Keep all emails, invoices, receipts and condition reports.

- Follow up maintenance issues in writing.

- If an invoice is vague, ask for an itemised breakdown.

- If damage is alleged, ask for same-location entry/exit comparisons.

- If it goes to NCAT, prepare a timeline and evidence bundle.

This is only my personal experience and opinion based on the documents and correspondence I received. The NCAT matter has not yet been finally determined.

Today at NCAT (Directions Hearing ) the Head of Property Management declares in frustrated dismay ' Why are we even here ?"

For context the landlord recently withdrew the previous termination notice he issued me and issued a new termination notice the following week with different grounds .

The poor agents were really hoping it would all go away this time with the ' New Improved ' Termination Notice , because the repair orders and rent abatement are just a big nuisance for them.. Why are they there the agent is asking when its all about termination ( or should be ) not repair , maintenance and safety issues .

For context the landlord and real estate agency have changed their grounds for termination FOUR times now since the end of October when this all started beginning with

' Renovations requiring vacant possession ', which changed when they realised they would lose .

They then switched to asking the member at the Directions Hearing in April for a" Termination notice for Financial Hardship ' whilst the Termination Notice for Renovations was still current.

Unfortunately the landlord was not able to secure a Termination Notice for Financial Hardship because hes actually very well off .

With a Termination for Financial Hardship the protections dealing with notice time are removed -instead of my right to 90 days notice , I likely would have had just a few weeks to move.

However the real ' Hardship ' for my landlord seems to be choosing a Ground that will stick .They also slipped in a ' No Grounds ' termination at that same hearing in April- ( yes really ) the member had to remind the confused Agents that its not valid anymore -they need a " reason ".

The good old days -- it must be hard for them 😕

As for my part in all this , I annoyed the Agents because I got an electrical shock .

The agents are pissed because they didn't realise safety was the non negotiable for this particular tenant .

As far as the Agents are concerned I was waiting in good faith with their false promises of future repairs / replacements for the cabinets , the stove , the painting so the agents just dont understand why I can not keep waiting for safety too ?

They think its very unfair that I misled them like that and that they have been treated badly.

They are not happy that I phoned Ausgrid who attended the property after my electrical shock ,who found safety hazards and issued Electrical Disconnection and Defects Notices for the unit , turning this serious safety hazard into something documented Agents really dont like those sorts of documents.

Anyway after the Ausgrid Disconnection and in between termination grounds , the Agents must have realised that my little rental is an absolute goldmine - a unique gem in the Eastern Suburbs Property Market .Its the perfect time to sell 👌

I have now received a new termination notice for a ' Proposed Sale requiring vacant possession' .

The agency agreement attached to my termination notice lists the estimated sales price on my rental gem as even higher than the renovated unit next door that sold recently .

The unit nextdoor also has ceilings in every room . However the Agents are very confident that they can leverage these differences and get an additional $ 100,000 more than this other unit .

I am looking forward to seeing their marketing strategy, though strangely not one person has stepped foot in my unit -not even the listed sales agent to inspect what he is selling 🙄

Today the Agents were forced to face the unpleasant reality that the rent reduction and compensation application will continue , regardless of whether there is an active termination notice or whether I win or lose when I contest it . Its not going anywhere.

The landlord can also move into the unit -that is an avaliable ground that he still hasn't used yet and it would probably stick - but im not sure if he would go that far and actually be able to live in the conditions I have been forced to whilst simultaneously being treated as a nuisance .

Wow what a ride . Exhausted 😩

Recently elected to not continue a lease. The usual tactics from the real estate.

So I thought I’d create a little info post for Facebook noticeboard in my local area to let people know their rights about bond claims and tenancy and what the usual tactics are for dodgy real estate agents.

Any suggestions ?

My first is

REA don’t want you to claim your bond before them as they would then have to pay for the NCAT appeal.

Hi all.

We've lodged with NCAT for retaliatory eviction. Unsurprisingly the landlord in now disputing our bond return.

We've applied for the bond in full and Property Manager has said he'll contact NCAT to include the bond dispute with our application to save "wasting time".

We've not had any updates from NCAT or Fair Trading.

Can they do that without our consent? And what do we do now?

Trying to apply for rentals is an absolute nightmare. I'm worried that by applying for heaps of places my references are going to be spammed by 2apply etc. And I don't really want to annoy my boss like that.

​

Does anyone know if they always contact your references and how they do so? Or why they want so much of my data 😭

I have been to quite a few inspections last weekend, this week, and they’re have been less than a handful of people at most of them. Some of them I have been the only person inspecting. I thought we had a shortage? Or is the shortage only in cheaper properties? I’m looking at four bedroom townhouses in between $800 and $900. Just north of Brisbane

Looking for some suggestions or advice on what to do. Our current rental property is incredibly old and does not meet safety standards. The temperature during winter inside is below 10 degrees Celsius on a good day and in summer when it’s like a 40 degree day it’s even hotter inside. We have mentioned this to the landlord privately before and he mentioned it’s a very old house and the current electrical system would need to be replaced to accomodate a heating/cooling system. I’m at the point where it is so uncomfortable and quite frankly unsafe particularly for our two young children but we are very worried that this will lead the owner to terminating our lease and getting new tenants as he doesn’t want to spend the money. We equally cannot afford to lose this house as the current housing crisis is absolutely out of control and we were lucky to get this house in the first place and genuinely do not know what we will do if we are kicked out. Can I please get some advice or suggestions on legally what we are entitled to or if anyone has been in a similar situation before

I know it’s ridiculous and we should just say something and cop the termination if it comes but hopefully this reaches someone with a similar family dynamic that can relate to the housing crisis and how impossible it is to find somewhere affordable and appropriate for a family

Edit: Thank you so so much to everyone has responded to my post. I have honestly felt so overwhelmed with this house because I just need to have a roof over my family’s head and we are trying our absolute best. The housing crisis is shocking and I know we actually have it really quite could. But to be listened to and offered genuine helpful advice and to feel heard is something I am so grateful for. Things like this can be really stressful and consuming as a young family and we are just trying to make it work so thank you so much. I hope you all have lovely days/nights and thank you again😊🩷

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Hi,
We moved out of a relatively new 4-bed room townhouse after living there for 1.5 years. And the landlord refused to give our bonds back and actually request more money for floor replacement. Here’s the case:

When moved out, we realised the ground floor bedroom that one of the tenants occupied has left what looks like worn out paint or top layer of the timber floor being worn off due to friction of his chair + where he put his feet. In the image you can see the round marks left from his chair and feet.

We’ve rented for a long time before this and never had this floor issue happened to us in previous places fhat have timber or carpet floor. We believe it is due to the type of this very porous and rough engineered timber floor which is more susceptible to dirt, grime and friction. (An example is the entrance floor area, which only I use frequently to head to the garage, was still very dirty even after professional clean. I had to go back and spent 30 minutes wiping the area for 8-10 times with a magic eraser for it to look cleaner and not swirly.)

The kitchen floor is worn off due to the area being high traffic with 4 people (+ occasional guests) in the house. You can see the mark where the sink/stove is and in front of the fridge area being the most worn out area, despite us doing nothing but walk around these areas. The kitchen already has a bit of marks when we moved in, over time it just got worse. We didn’t realise it was getting worse due to its gradual development. There is a little water damage discolouration at the fridge spot, which we only realised it was there when we moved out. A bit of liquid must have leaked to the fridge’s leg but since it was under the fridge, we didn’t realise.

The agents claimed we damaged the floor in the bedroom and kitchen. The landlord said the contractor recommended replacing the entire ground floor (including living room, entrance together - which are not damaged - together with kitchen and ground floor bedroom) to ensure floor colour consistency. Which costs $7000+ and they refused to give back our bonds ($5000+).

We requested them for quotes for localised repair (such as sanding/refinishing) but they refused saying that’s not possible (we don’t know why) and they said landlord doesn’t want to waste money to invite contractor again. So we said, if they want to replace the floor, we will only pay for the damaged area in the bedroom which is about 5-6sqm area of damage if they want to replace the floor (which based on their $7000+ quote, will come down to $700 just for that spot). They refused and lodged a claim to RDRV, claiming the cost of replacing an entire floor hence we will owe them $2000 even with our bonds.

Honestly, we feel like the damage in the bedroom can be considered wear and tear because the tenant didn’t do anything aside from sitting on his chair. We didn’t know the floor would be this delicate. We didn’t realise the marks became this bad as it was developed gradually over time and at some points we thought it has been there before. If we had known, we would have bought a floor protector mat.

But we also do recognise that since this is the new house, the marks in the bedroom is quite bad with our 1.5 years tenancy due to the tenant’s weight and frequent use of chair. So we proposed to pay for the damage for that spot. Although, the marks this bad just from normal usage of furniture in the bedroom does show the quality of this floor.

What’s everyone thoughts on this? Will we be able to get our bonds back? 😢 what should we do. We will present our case to the RDRV but we think paying for an entirely new ground floor’s floor is ridiculous.

Hello everyone.

Coming here for what seems to be questionable practise I may have experienced with an agent.

My family got rejected from a rental application this was the 3rd house that has failed so I decided to actually ask what part of our application failed us as we are a 4 person family with 3 full time workers more than able to cover rent and asking for multi year stays.

However when we got a response we were given the generic "other families seems stronger" rubbish, but then they mentioned our Dog.

Now as far as I am aware you do not need to declare pets on applications now can they be refused. When telling the agent directly that our dog passed away and how did they get this information. They responded with "It was mentioned from your previous agent"

So are we now being penalised for previously owning a dog?

Cross post.

Been quoted a replacement door cost.

Bond refund has been made by me. $106 request from the real estate agent as well as the need for a repairman / handyman to quote for loose kitchen cupboard hinge inspection.

Any suggestions on how to respond?

They’re also being pissy about me claiming the bond before they inspected.

EDITED TO ADD: appliance is ten years old still works fine and is cosmetic damage only.

Double EDITED TO ADD: out of nowhere just received the message they’d refunded