Latest news with #rentaldispute
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Tenant left furious over landlord's shock $300 fee for issue that happens in almost every home: 'Excuse me?'
A tenant has sparked a heated feud with her landlord for trying to charge her $312 after a plumber discovered her hair had blocked the shower drain. Landlord Neil sent an email to renter Lauren after completing the end-of-lease inspection, informing her that he would be deducting money from her bond. 'Unfortunately, we've had to deduct £150 ($A312) due to a blocked shower drain, which our plumber confirmed was caused by hair buildup. This isn't considered fair wear and tear, so it's a tenant liability,' Neil's email read. Clearly furious with the email, Lauren replied: 'Sorry, £150 ($A312) for HAIR? You're seriously trying to charge me for having hair that falls out when I shower? 'Is that not something that happens to literally every human being?' Neil responded, insisting his charge was reasonable because the plumber had to remove, clean and reassemble the shower drain due to her clogged hair. 'We've never had this issue with other tenants. The plumber said the drain was completely blocked with hair and soap scum,' the landlord explained. 'It required removal, cleaning, and reassembly. This is excessive use and goes beyond standard cleaning. Again, not wear and tear.' Refusing to back down, Lauren fired back: 'Neil, I lived there for 18 months. I washed my hair. That's not "excessive use". That's being a clean adult. 'You think it's fine to pocket £150 ($A312) of my money because YOU didn't maintain the pipes? Let me be very clear. This isn't resolved. I'll be raising a dispute with TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme). And I'll be sharing this ridiculous charge far and wide.' However, the landlord was adamant that he was standing by his charge. 'You're welcome to raise a dispute. But if you'd flagged the blockage before moving out, we could've addressed it sooner. Instead, it was left for us to resolve. The charge stands,' he responded. Lauren said she never 'flagged' the blockage because she thought the water was 'draining fine' during her tenancy. 'Maybe because I cleaned the trap regularly? Maybe because I'm not a troll? Your plumber found hair... shocking! On a planet of mammals. You're charging me for being a woman who showers. See you in dispute,' she hit back in her response. It's unclear what happened between the landlord and tenant - but British property strategist Jack Rooke re-shared the email exchange on his social media channel. 'Some of the things you hear about landlords trying to get away with in disputes is crazy - but no, he's in the wrong here. He can't charge for that,' Jack said. The landlord was adamant that he was standing by his charge '£150 ($A312) deducted for "having hair". This is exactly why landlords get a bad reputation. 'Normal wear and tear is never a tenant charge. These cases only create disputes, stress, and wasted time. 'We make sure deposits are handled fairly so landlords stay protected and tenants don't feel taken advantage of. That way both sides get a fair outcome.' His video has been viewed more than 30,000 times with many siding with the renter. 'Tell the landlord where to stick it. I'll see you in court - that simple,' one suggested, laughing. 'The moment I stepped into my new rental I took photos and did a video walk through. It's clear the landlord and previous tenants didn't look after the property,' another explained. One person pointed out: 'Well I mean if the plumber charged that much then...' However, another quickly chimed in, saying: 'It's still irrelevant. The landlord eats the cost. Because whether you like it or not, it IS wear and tear.' Meanwhile, many shared their own experiences after they had money deducted from the house bond following an end-of-lease clean. 'I think I got £70 ($A145) deducted for the oven "not being clean" and that wasn't me staying up until 3am scrubbing it clean. I just paid it because I wanted out,' one said. 'We got £150 ($A312) taken from our deposit because of paint dust on one of the skirting boards. Landlords are unreal,' another shared. 'My previous landlord tried to charge me for all the existing damage to the property that was there when I moved in. Inventory and pictures for evidence in dispute and I won! Never accept a landlord taking the mick,' one revealed.
Daily Mail
11-08-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Jess had three months to move out of her rental after giving notice. What she did next left her landlord fuming
A tenant has sparked a dispute with her landlord after refusing to vacate the property, despite receiving a three-month notice to find a new home. Renter Jess had informed her landlord in March that she was going to move out of the home 12 weeks from the date on the email. But in the days leading up to her move-out date, her landlord sent her three reminders - only to receive no response from Jess. He sent another follow-up email the day before her move-out date. 'Morning Jess. Just checking in, when can I collect the keys today? New tenants are moving in tomorrow and I've got cleaners booked for this afternoon,' he said. 'Also, I've emailed a few times this week asking for confirmation. The move-out date's been agreed since March. I really need to know where things stand.' However, things didn't go to plan when she finally replied to his email. 'Hey, yeah sorry, meant to message. Things have been really hectic and I haven't had time to get everything sorted. Is there any chance I can have a few extra days? I'm just really overwhelmed right now,' she explained in the email. A tenant has sparked a dispute with her landlord after refusing to vacate the property, despite receiving a three-month notice to find a new home However, the landlord refused to extend her stay. 'Jess, the tenancy ends today. You confirmed in writing on 4th April that you'd be vacating by the 22nd. I've sent three reminders this week with no reply,' he replied. 'I've signed the next tenant and given them a key collection time. The flat needs to be empty and cleaned today. There's no flexibility on this.' Seeking sympathy, Jess struggled to understand why her landlord wouldn't allow her to stay a little longer. 'I just think it's a bit unfair. I've been a decent tenant, never missed rent. Now I'm asking for two more days and you're acting like I've done something wrong,' she said. 'It's not like I'm refusing to leave. I just need until the weekend. Don't understand why you're being like this.' The landlord then threatened Jess with a negative tenancy reference if she fails to move out on her vacating day. 'Because this isn't how tenancies work. You don't get to extend your stay on the day you're meant to be out. I've got a legally binding agreement. The new tenant is in a chain. You staying longer disrupts everything,' he explained. 'If you delay this move, I'll have to flag it when asked for a reference.' Struggling to understand the landlord's explanation, Jess responded: 'Wow. So that's how it is then. After everything, you're threatening to ruin my next tenancy because I'm struggling? 'You know what, forget it, you can come get the keys when I'm ready. I'm not rushing because you made plans without checking with me,' she continued. The landlord replied: 'Look Jess, I sympathise with your situation, but you've had months to prepare for today. I cannot extend your tenancy. It's time to move on.' Refusing to back down, Jess ended the email with: 'I said I'll leave when I'm ready. If they're in a rush, that's not my problem.' It's unclear what happened next between the tenant and landlord - but British property strategist Jack Rooke re-shared the pair's heated email exchange. Jack suggested he was on the landlord's side because he thought Jess was given a reasonable amount of time to move out. 'She had three months to move out… Then said she'd leave when she's ready. Is this tenant reasonable or just entitled?' Jack said. His video has been viewed more than 100,000 times with many divided over the situation. 'The landlord should not give a date for a new tenant to move in until the previous tenant is out. Poor planning by the landlord,' one said. 'Jess is wrong, but the landlord isn't being smart either. He's left zero room for error and that's on him,' another suggested. 'I'm usually pro tenant but I am having a hard time backing the tenant. It is a business transaction and there was an agreement in place and Jess broke the agreement. Usually people have to be out at midnight,' one shared. 'Wow Jess is completely in the wrong here. You have handed notice regardless of the situation - you HAVE to be out by the date stated. I do think however having a new tenant move in literally the day after is a bit crazy,' another added. LANDLORD: Morning Jess. Just checking in, when can I collect the keys today? New tenants are moving in tomorrow and I've got cleaners booked for this afternoon Also, I've emailed a few times this week asking for confirmation. The move-out date's been agreed since March. I really need to know where things stand. TENANT JESS: Hey, yeah sorry, meant to message. Things have been really hectic and I haven't had time to get everything sorted. Is there any chance I can have a few extra days? I'm just really overwhelmed right now. LANDLORD: Jess, the tenancy ends today. You confirmed in writing on 4th April that you'd be vacating by the 22nd. I've sent three reminders this week with no reply. I've signed the next tenant and given them a key collection time. The flat needs to be empty and cleaned today. There's no flexibility on this. TENANT JESS: I just think it's a bit unfair. I've been a decent tenant, never missed rent. Now I'm asking for two more days and you're acting like I've done something wrong. It's not like I'm refusing to leave. I just need until the weekend. Don't understand why you're being like this. LANDLORD: Because this isn't how tenancies work. You don't get to extend your stay on the day you're meant to be out. I've got a legally binding agreement. The new tenant is in a chain. You staying longer disrupts everything. If you delay this move, I'll have to flag it when asked for a reference. TENANT JESS: Wow. So that's how it is then. After everything, you're threatening to ruin my next tenancy because I'm struggling? You know what, forget it, you can come get the keys when I'm ready. I'm not rushing because you made plans without checking with me. LANDLORD: Look Jess, I sympathise with your situation, but you've had months to prepare for today. I cannot extend your tenancy. It's time to move on.
Daily Mail
29-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
A tenant claims a very common problem in her rental has left her sick... now she's taking the fight to her landlord: 'I'm living in a zoo'
A tenant claims she has been left with severe health problems because of the mould in her rental as she prepares to take her landlord to the regulatory tribunal. Ksenia Pavlovskaya, 43, moved to Australia from Russia to study at the Australian Institute of Fitness and work in wellness nine years ago. She moved into a granny flat at North Curl Curl, on Sydney 's leafy Northern Beaches, in 2022 where she planned to raise her 15-year-old son. Ms Pavlovskaya claims that in January this year, her son noticed his mattress and bedroom in the back of the property was beginning to grow mould. 'The smell was so horrible inside. It was already like a swamp,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'My son's bedroom was affected the most, like he noticed it first. He started telling me the carpet smells. It's hard to breathe.' Ms Pavlovskaya's son then moved to live with his father, who now receives child support from the personal trainer. The mother revealed that she was diagnosed five months later with an illness potentially related to mould. The horrifying diagnosis has prompted her to take her landlord to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). The 43-year-old has suffered fatigue, coughing, chest pain, and anxiety since the beginning of the year. 'Usually, I'm the one who wakes up at 5am, and it's been easy for me, but not any more, because of my situation,' Ms Pavlovskaya said. 'When I started to feel low energy and getting sick, my income dropped because I could not perform the same amount of physical work.' Ms Pavlovskaya said she raised the issue in January with the property manager and her landlord - who lives in the main residence of the Curl Curl property. She claimed she was told to simply open the windows, which has not helped at all, as the mould has since spread to the ceilings, furniture, and air conditioning unit. Ms Pavlovskaya said she believed the mould issue stemmed from the flat's porous sandstone foundation and shaded position at the back of the property. Inside, she said the granny flat resembles a 'zoo' with ants everywhere and a 'musty', 'boggy' aroma. The 43-year-old (above) has suffered fatigue, coughing, chest pain and anxiety since the beginning of the year Ms Pavlovskaya went to the doctor in June, who linked her symptoms and critically low ferritin levels to mould exposure. Further battles with the homeowner then led to an anxiety diagnosis. 'Whenever I politely ask them, they always try to tell me that everything is my fault.' 'They always try to tell me, "We've done so many things for you." But they didn't fix the issue. The issue is still here.' Ms Pavlovskaya said patch fixes, including 'fogging', done after moisture is removed, and a cleaning company's efforts to 'wipe away' the mould were ineffective. She said the $780-per-week flat was not fitted with adequate ventilation or preventative features, including a fan underneath the property and dehumidifier, which Ms Pavlovskaya claimed were only provided recently. Ms Pavlovskaya was offered the option to move out of the flat and the landlord would waive the fee for breaking the lease. Instead, she has decided to pursue the landlord and property manager not only for herself, but for other renters who find themselves in similar situations in Sydney. 'I would like to achieve justice because I see that this is a big issue,' she said. 'So many of them are suffering, but they're scared to speak up. They don't want to go to tribunal because they think the landlord will screw them. 'But if they see I was able to protect myself, maybe they will speak up when they have a problem.' The ordeal has shocked even friends who are living overseas. 'Everyone is telling me, "I can't believe this is happening to you. Oh, my God, I can't believe this happening in Australia." 'It's the type of thing to happen somewhere in Russia,' she said. Daily Mail Australia contacted the landlord and homeowner for comment. The homeowner declined to comment ahead of the NCAT hearing, but said 'there are always two sides to every story'. The parties will head to mediation on Tuesday.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
P.E.I. landlord says rental turned into a nightmare after tenants 'ruined' her property
When Thamara DeVries handed over the keys to her fully furnished home in Wheatley River, P.E.I., in February, she thought she was renting it to a family of four. But shortly after move-in day, DeVries was called to help with the property's hot tub. "I realized that there was a mom and a dad and 10 children, which is definitely not what we agreed on," DeVries told CBC News. She said the couple confirmed the 10 children were all theirs and were all living in the house. DeVries immediately contacted the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), which handles disputes between landlords and tenants on P.E.I. That began a months-long effort to evict the tenants. She said the legal process has dragged on, and in the meantime, she's watched the home deteriorate. "That process has been incredibly painful, excruciating and draining, to say the least," she said. "We have a hard time going to bed, and our financial situation has changed quite a bit, including lawyer fees and the fact that they haven't paid any rent since April." CBC News knocked on the door of the property in an attempt to speak to the renters, but no one answered. Eventually — after providing the tenants with written notice that she was going to enter the property, in accordance with IRAC policy — DeVries called the police for assistance. She said she didn't feel safe going in without officers nearby after noticing aggressive dogs on the site. Soon she saw something she found even more menacing. "There were knives all over the door frames on every door of the main floor — all covered in knives — to prevent us from walking into the property," she said. "We had to remove the knives and push the door in and to see the absolute disaster that it was." Once inside, the first thing she noticed was the smell — "the worst smell you could imagine," DeVries said. She said the downstairs of the property had been turned into a greenhouse for growing plants and all the furniture had been tossed outside, exposed to winter conditions. She also found kittens in the bathtub. "The furniture is gone, ruined. The floors are ruined. The screen doors and all the screens on the windows are ripped. The kitchen is absolutely trashed and the carpets are absolutely filthy and… my hot tub isn't working anymore and the yard looks like a dump," she said, describing her walk through the house. "At that point, I am beyond devastated." Outside, she said the tenants had turned the yard into farmland and dumped several truckloads of manure on top of where her well sits. Despite repeated requests to have it moved, she said the pile remains there. "I'm going to be left with maybe $80,000 of damages, lawyer fees to the roof and the mental stress that is … beyond anything anyone can imagine," she said. DeVries presented photos of the damages and documents showing non-payment of rent during a hearing at the end of May. IRAC ruled the tenants had seven days to vacate. But she said the tenants appealed the decision, arguing they couldn't find housing within a week and alleging discrimination in the rental market against large families. "Honestly, I have no idea how any of those two things are related to me," DeVries said. The tenants also applied for a return of rent totalling $14,500, along with "compensation for emotional distress" in the amount of $12 million, according to IRAC documents. That application was denied, with a residential tenancy officer for the commission writing that the tenants "have not established a valid claim for a return of rent and I do not have the jurisdiction to consider the tenants' claim for emotional distress." The next hearing between the two sides will be conducted in writing, and both sides can submit evidence later this week. It's not known when a decision will be made. It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair. — Thamara DeVries, landlord "In all rental matters, the commission endeavours to provide a timely decision to the parties, taking into account the unique circumstances of each matter," IRAC wrote in a statement to CBC News. Meanwhile, DeVries said it pains her to see the property her family worked hard to purchase — the place where she hoped to host her daughter's wedding someday — in an unrecognizable state. "It's the process that is killing us. It's not... that I have no evidence. It's the fact that the process is so slow and there's so many loopholes, and people know how to play the game," she said. "It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair." Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common on P.E.I., said Rowen Gallant, program manager of Renting P.E.I. at Community Legal Information. Gallant said the office often receives calls from tenants seeking to understand their rights or needing support after a relationship with their landlord has broken down. He added that landlords must also be informed of their responsibilities from the beginning. Renting P.E.I. offers a guide specifically for landlords. "It helps you know what you're getting into before you before you actually get into the trouble or the trouble starts," he said. He added that good communication and relationship-building are also crucial in preventing and managing potential conflicts. He said this applies to both tenants and landlords. "When both parties have a firm understanding of how the legislation works and what their rights are and what their responsibilities to each other are, that always is going to give you the best chance of success at having a good relationship."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
P.E.I. landlord says rental turned into a nightmare after tenants 'ruined' her property
When Thamara DeVries handed over the keys to her fully furnished home in Wheatley River, P.E.I., in February, she thought she was renting it to a family of four. But shortly after move-in day, DeVries was called to help with the property's hot tub. "I realized that there was a mom and a dad and 10 children, which is definitely not what we agreed on," DeVries told CBC News. She said the couple confirmed the 10 children were all theirs and were all living in the house. DeVries immediately contacted the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), which handles disputes between landlords and tenants on P.E.I. That began a months-long effort to evict the tenants. She said the legal process has dragged on, and in the meantime, she's watched the home deteriorate. "That process has been incredibly painful, excruciating and draining, to say the least," she said. "We have a hard time going to bed, and our financial situation has changed quite a bit, including lawyer fees and the fact that they haven't paid any rent since April." CBC News knocked on the door of the property in an attempt to speak to the renters, but no one answered. Eventually — after providing the tenants with written notice that she was going to enter the property, in accordance with IRAC policy — DeVries called the police for assistance. She said she didn't feel safe going in without officers nearby after noticing aggressive dogs on the site. Soon she saw something she found even more menacing. "There were knives all over the door frames on every door of the main floor — all covered in knives — to prevent us from walking into the property," she said. "We had to remove the knives and push the door in and to see the absolute disaster that it was." Once inside, the first thing she noticed was the smell — "the worst smell you could imagine," DeVries said. She said the downstairs of the property had been turned into a greenhouse for growing plants and all the furniture had been tossed outside, exposed to winter conditions. She also found kittens in the bathtub. "The furniture is gone, ruined. The floors are ruined. The screen doors and all the screens on the windows are ripped. The kitchen is absolutely trashed and the carpets are absolutely filthy and… my hot tub isn't working anymore and the yard looks like a dump," she said, describing her walk through the house. "At that point, I am beyond devastated." Outside, she said the tenants had turned the yard into farmland and dumped several truckloads of manure on top of where her well sits. Despite repeated requests to have it moved, she said the pile remains there. "I'm going to be left with maybe $80,000 of damages, lawyer fees to the roof and the mental stress that is … beyond anything anyone can imagine," she said. DeVries presented photos of the damages and documents showing non-payment of rent during a hearing at the end of May. IRAC ruled the tenants had seven days to vacate. But she said the tenants appealed the decision, arguing they couldn't find housing within a week and alleging discrimination in the rental market against large families. "Honestly, I have no idea how any of those two things are related to me," DeVries said. The tenants also applied for a return of rent totalling $14,500, along with "compensation for emotional distress" in the amount of $12 million, according to IRAC documents. That application was denied, with a residential tenancy officer for the commission writing that the tenants "have not established a valid claim for a return of rent and I do not have the jurisdiction to consider the tenants' claim for emotional distress." The next hearing between the two sides will be conducted in writing, and both sides can submit evidence later this week. It's not known when a decision will be made. It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair. — Thamara DeVries, landlord "In all rental matters, the commission endeavours to provide a timely decision to the parties, taking into account the unique circumstances of each matter," IRAC wrote in a statement to CBC News. Meanwhile, DeVries said it pains her to see the property her family worked hard to purchase — the place where she hoped to host her daughter's wedding someday — in an unrecognizable state. "It's the process that is killing us. It's not... that I have no evidence. It's the fact that the process is so slow and there's so many loopholes, and people know how to play the game," she said. "It just feels that there is a high level of injustice and the process is not fair." Conflicts between landlords and tenants are common on P.E.I., said Rowen Gallant, program manager of Renting P.E.I. at Community Legal Information. Gallant said the office often receives calls from tenants seeking to understand their rights or needing support after a relationship with their landlord has broken down. He added that landlords must also be informed of their responsibilities from the beginning. Renting P.E.I. offers a guide specifically for landlords. "It helps you know what you're getting into before you before you actually get into the trouble or the trouble starts," he said. He added that good communication and relationship-building are also crucial in preventing and managing potential conflicts. He said this applies to both tenants and landlords. "When both parties have a firm understanding of how the legislation works and what their rights are and what their responsibilities to each other are, that always is going to give you the best chance of success at having a good relationship."
