[kadoodle]

We're renting. The house is about 10 years old and about as structurally sound as a cardboard box. Over the space of 3 years, we've pestered the REA, been to the tribunal and fixed a lot of things ourselves.

After our last letter to VCAT, the landlord sent someone out to fix our bathroom and ensuite, which were both unsealed and leaked water downstairs whenever the shower or bath was used. Today was stinking hot, so I put DD2, DS2 and a friend's DD (all toddlers) in the bathtub with an icy pole each to cool off. They were happily splashing away, squealing and getting water everywhere while I supervised and kept and ear out for DD1, DS1 and friends of theirs who were downstairs playing a board game.

Then I hear what sounds like a waterfall. Call out to the other kids asking if they've left a tap on. No answer, so I remove little kids from the tub and head downstairs to see Niagra Falls coming through the hole in the roof (that the landlord said he'd fix, but didn't) in the dining room. The big kids were skidding through the water like penguins on their tummies. I let the little kids join in, then mopped up afterwards.

My query: Do I
a- Request the REA send out someone to repair it, knowing that hell will likely freeze over first.
b - Go to VCAT and request that they request the REA fix it.
c - Call someone out and send the REA the bill.
d - Ignore, as we're moving soon (building our own place) and it'll be someone else's problem.

We're also waiting for our aircon to be fixed. I'm sick of them sending out repairmen, who give them a quote which they then do nothing about. I'm calling a friend on Monday to fix it and send them the bill.

[charlottesmum04]

Anyone have any helpful suggestions? Would love to know as DH and I have pretty much just decided to move out of our rental. Nothing is getting fixed in the last 18 months and i think the straw that broke our back is the downstairs toilet that's been broke for the last 4 weeks. Lease is up in late feb/early march and we are outta here...

Aparently the owners response to the RE agents is if they dont like it they can move out. So guess what we're doing.....

[red_squirrel]

We've been in a similiar situation these last 18 months. Nothing has been fixed.
We are moving out in a few weeks time.

OP I wouldn't waste the energy. They wont fix it.

[Soprano-Cat]

I would breach them so it's on record, that way any future tenants have history on their side.

[kadoodle]

I would breach them so it's on record, that way any future tenants have history on their side.

How do you do that?

[seaside_shells]

The leaking roof is likely to be classed as an urgent repair, which means its treated differently to other problems - have a look at this page from Consumer Affairs Victoria which describes what to do in this situation.

With the airconditioning I would suggest that you give consumer affairs a call to ask their advice before incurring costs, as I'm not convinced it would fall under any of the urgent repairs categories listed on the link above.

Good luck op & hope you & the kids survive the heat!

[kadoodle]

The leaking roof is likely to be classed as an urgent repair, which means its treated differently to other problems - have a look at this page from Consumer Affairs Victoria which describes what to do in this situation.

With the airconditioning I would suggest that you give consumer affairs a call to ask their advice before incurring costs, as I'm not convinced it would fall under any of the urgent repairs categories listed on the link above.

Good luck op & hope you & the kids survive the heat!

It's a leaking ceiling, not roof.

I think it's pretty darn rich that I'm paying for the privilege of a bathroom and air conditioning that are unuseable

[CupcakeMumma]

I'd write to the re, state the issues, include a remedy to breach as I don't think water leaking through the ceiling is safe, there would electrical cables in there and ask for a discount on the rent for inconvenience of cleaning up the water all the time and no air con which was provided when you first moved in. If nothing else the breach is noted on the re in case they try and have your repair any water damage

[CupcakeMumma]

Dp

This post has been edited by CupcakeMumma: 05/01/2013, 08:16 PM

[kadoodle]

I'd write to the re, state the issues, include a remedy to breach as I don't think water leaking through the ceiling is safe, there would electrical cables in there and ask for a discount on the rent for inconvenience of cleaning up the water all the time and no air con which was provided when you first moved in. If nothing else the breach is noted on the re in case they try and have your repair any water damage

We've done that last time it happened and it took 12 months and a letter from VCAT for them to pretend to fix it.

I've decided to get back onto them and ask for information about a backdated reduction in rent over the non-functioning aircon and non useable bathroom. I don't fancy my chances though, these things are pretty toothless when it comes to looking after after us plebs.