You are about to hear a tale about incredible assholes, and even more incredible luck. To lay the background story, myself, my girlfriend and my sister all live about 39km’s away from the city. It takes us about 40min to drive normally, over 2 hours in peak hour traffic, about $90 taxi ride and generally just inconvient for most things.
PART 1: The Assholes at Tower & London.
We originally found what appeared to be an awesome 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car spot flat with everything modern you could wish for (secure building/parking, dishwasher, ducted air-con, gas stoves etc etc). It was advertised on Domain for $600-650/wk, which between 4 people worked out to be $150-160/wk each. Awesome!
When we inspected the place it looked amazing, though a little small. The carpet was clean (we had to take our shoes off to view it) though it was white, weird kind of layout, but it had everything you could want which included built-in’s with mirrored doors. So we put in our application and deposit and were told that we would fine out within a few days (“early that week”).
Two weeks later we finally hear back from the property manager of Tower & London and she states that the owner has been the one causing the delay, excuses range from “personal problems, exams, away”. I had to call the company 10-15 times before this happened however. The manager herself was harder to contact in person than the pope. When she did call back she stated that;
“The owner is renting out a few units and the advertised and agreed amount of $650/wk is only for 1 car spot flats. The one you have applied for is actually going to be $720/wk. Is this ok?”
After speaking to everyone else, we begrudely said yes. Details slowly came across and the day before we were suppose to sign the lease we get another call from the agent;
“With regard to your 6 month with 6 month option, the owner and my boss would like to inform you that in December the rent will be increasing to $750/wk”.
We were not impressed. So we went in the next day, said we weren’t signing it, would accept the $650/wk for 1 car spot only, as was implied by their excuse that $720 was for 2 spots. They said no. I requested my deposit of $650 back and she said she had to speak to the owner about it.
PART 2: The Deposit (Thursday)
Now, granted we left it to the last possible minute to withdraw our application, they were dodgey agents. I contacted a friend of mine that did law and she pointed us to speak to the Dept. of Fair Trading. I spoke to them and basically they stated that there were 2 laws that state;
“landlords may retain the applicant’s deposit, provided that the property is not let or occupied”, which it was…the previous tenants were suppose to move out on Saturday. WOOT!
I Called back to speak to the agent about this new knowledge, but was told to come in to collect my cheque.
When I was collecting it, the agent had the gall to say;
“You should be more careful in the future, its very lucky that the owner decided to return your deposit”.
At which I told her;
“No, it is illegal for you to keep our deposit because the property is still occupied, I contacted the Dept. of Fair Trading. But you have a good day” and turned and walked out with cheque in hand.
PART 3: Linda our savior!
So there we are, free of the idiots from Tower & London, with our deposit, but lacking a place to move out to. So we quickly look on Domain and find to our surprise there is another property, almost totally identical right across the road!!!
My sister booked an inspection, got to go up straight away and look at the place. Its bigger in comparison to the other place, much nicer and the best of all the Agent is amazing. She is one of the nicest people. Hurray!!!
