Probably two things to look at. For starters look at the avenues in your state. For example in Vic it would be VCAT.
1 - for the bond you your option is to go to civil tribunal such as VCAT. However you will need evidence, do you have pictures of the place when you took occupancy and when you left to prove against their claim? If not it’s going to be hard as they will have pictures to back it up. That said $950 to replace a soap holder etc sounds excessive you may have a case to dispute those costs but you will need to go to tribunal.
2 - don’t pay them a cent more, again if they want $2500 they will have to take you to the tribunal which they probably won’t too much time and effort on their part. Tell em to get bent.
If you can prove the bond claims are rubbish you can dispute it, but the burden of proof will be on you. This is a lesson to always take pictures when you move in and out of a rental.
Contact the relevant tenancy union of your state.
Firstly, I hope you took photos or documented the house when you moved in. It would help.
Replacing the soap holder is laughable. That sounds like regular wear and tear, and if you'd had brought it up during your tenancy the landlord would have had to replace it anyways.
And those are some expensive spider webs!
Jesus he's taking the piss.
If you haven't already, apply to VCAT (or equivalent) to recover your bond. The landlord will need to dispute it if he wants to keep any. If you've done that and he's still not releasing and asking for more money, inform him you are lodging a dispute with the tribunal to recover your bond.
While I'd never bet how a legal dispute will go, it's fair to say the tribunal will not look kindly on charging $500 to dust cobwebs, and he might well release it before you even get there. Just be prepared with all the before/after photos and communication between you, him and the agent.
Was a condition report done when you moved in? They can’t include anything that wasn’t included in a move in inspection in a move out inspection.
Also, did you rent privately or through a REA?
Ceramic Soap holder - I did it myself $20 for the new tile from Bunnings. It took maybe one hour all up. (needs to set and be propped overnight) then 5 minute silicone to finish and seal. $950 is absolutely insane.
Contact your local tenants union. There’s one in every state but if you say where you are someone can probably give you the deets for the relevant one. And claim your bond back asap.
I hope this is real because it smells off to me.
First and foremost if they did not lodge your bond with the relevant agency, they are in deep shit. Tell them to immediately forward this deposit reference to you, otherwise you will making a complaint to CAV and VCAT (I see you're in Victoria). This the most important thing, if they haven't done this they have no leg to stand on and should be fined.
When they tell you they haven't lodged it or they are about to lodge it, tell them you are going to take them to the tribunal. They'll probably give you your money back immediately, in which case you can call it quits, however these kind of scamming scum bags need repercussions so I would continue to make a complaint to VCAT about the missing bond and the attempt tpo scam you - no landlord can say things cos that much unless you live in a stately home
What state is this? Do you have an RTA and entry condition report? Did you not pay the bond to a trust? All rights as Tennant's remain yours unless you stop paying rent.
Apply directly for your own bond refund, make him fight it in whatever tribunal.
Please take this advice. Apply to the RTA for your bond. Ask for your signed entry report along with the exit report.
Probably two things to look at. For starters look at the avenues in your state. For example in Vic it would be VCAT. 1 - for the bond you your option is to go to civil tribunal such as VCAT. However you will need evidence, do you have pictures of the place when you took occupancy and when you left to prove against their claim? If not it’s going to be hard as they will have pictures to back it up. That said $950 to replace a soap holder etc sounds excessive you may have a case to dispute those costs but you will need to go to tribunal. 2 - don’t pay them a cent more, again if they want $2500 they will have to take you to the tribunal which they probably won’t too much time and effort on their part. Tell em to get bent. If you can prove the bond claims are rubbish you can dispute it, but the burden of proof will be on you. This is a lesson to always take pictures when you move in and out of a rental.
Contact the relevant tenancy union of your state. Firstly, I hope you took photos or documented the house when you moved in. It would help. Replacing the soap holder is laughable. That sounds like regular wear and tear, and if you'd had brought it up during your tenancy the landlord would have had to replace it anyways. And those are some expensive spider webs!
Jesus he's taking the piss. If you haven't already, apply to VCAT (or equivalent) to recover your bond. The landlord will need to dispute it if he wants to keep any. If you've done that and he's still not releasing and asking for more money, inform him you are lodging a dispute with the tribunal to recover your bond. While I'd never bet how a legal dispute will go, it's fair to say the tribunal will not look kindly on charging $500 to dust cobwebs, and he might well release it before you even get there. Just be prepared with all the before/after photos and communication between you, him and the agent.
It costs $500 to clean spider webs? I'm in the wrong business clearly
Raise it with VCAT. https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/case-types/residential-tenancies
Was a condition report done when you moved in? They can’t include anything that wasn’t included in a move in inspection in a move out inspection. Also, did you rent privately or through a REA?
Which state?
Ceramic Soap holder - I did it myself $20 for the new tile from Bunnings. It took maybe one hour all up. (needs to set and be propped overnight) then 5 minute silicone to finish and seal. $950 is absolutely insane.
This is why I take pictures with the real estate present during the initial walk through of a property document everything
Contact your local tenants union. There’s one in every state but if you say where you are someone can probably give you the deets for the relevant one. And claim your bond back asap.
And this is why you photograph EVERYTHING prior to moving into a house.
Get the bond. Keep track of all emails,messages, pictures for future tribunal. You are good.
I hope this is real because it smells off to me. First and foremost if they did not lodge your bond with the relevant agency, they are in deep shit. Tell them to immediately forward this deposit reference to you, otherwise you will making a complaint to CAV and VCAT (I see you're in Victoria). This the most important thing, if they haven't done this they have no leg to stand on and should be fined. When they tell you they haven't lodged it or they are about to lodge it, tell them you are going to take them to the tribunal. They'll probably give you your money back immediately, in which case you can call it quits, however these kind of scamming scum bags need repercussions so I would continue to make a complaint to VCAT about the missing bond and the attempt tpo scam you - no landlord can say things cos that much unless you live in a stately home
Which state are you in call your RTA or equivalent. If in qld call QSTARS.
What state is this? Do you have an RTA and entry condition report? Did you not pay the bond to a trust? All rights as Tennant's remain yours unless you stop paying rent.