[KylieMin0gue]

Just a quick query. I am looking at moving house as the house that I am in is getting too small for my growing kids. I saw an advertisement today for a property. The description sounded good, but obviously there were no pictures.

When I called the landlord (it is a private landlord), she said that the tenants she currently has are being evicted, and she is sick of getting taken advantage of by tenants, so instead of asking for 6 weeks bond and 2 weeks rent in advance, she was not going to let anyone move in unless they paid the 6 weeks bond and 3 weeks in advance. (ie an extra week in advance) She also said that after the initial rent was paid, she wanted the next fortnightly payment to be 2 weeks later, so that basically if you did not pay rent on its due date she would still be a week in front, and she would go straight to the tribunal as soon as rent was a day late. (For the record I have never paid rent late, and never would)

I was just wondering if it is acceptable or allowed for a landlord to say they wanted 3 weeks rent in advance, as well as the bond, as I have always known it as 2 weeks in advance. (I do understand her reasoning, but it is a little unfair for all us 'good' tenants to have to come up with over $3000 just to move into a place. (Although I know some people pay months and months in front at the commencement of a lease so as to secure a rental)

I am in SA if that helps

eta. she would not give me any address details etc, and said that I needed to fill out an application form, and for her to accept me as a tenant before I could view the property. I also have not even seen pics.

This post has been edited by KylieMin0gue: 23/02/2012, 08:50 PM

[3_for_me]

I wouldnt be touching a private landlord like that with a ten foot barge pole. If she is this much truble beforeyou even move in imagine what she would be like once you were actually there!

[Bacongirl]

IMO I'd be looking elsewhere. She sounds like a LL who wouldn't tjink twice about walking into your house at anytime "just to check something"

Run run as fast as you can!

[missy78]

She's trouble. You haven't even moved in yet! Run! Don't walk, away!

[Goggie]

Looks like it depends on the state and how much you pay. Found this link:
http://www.rentalagreementsdiy.com.au/tena...n_australia.php

Hth

[pinkpineapple]

I'd be looking elsewhere too. She sounds like trouble.

Fwiw in Vic I had to pay 1months bond and 1 months rent in advance. Then rent is paid monthly DD. Notice to vacates can be issued when rent is 14days late.

Also never been able to apply for a property before viewing it.

This post has been edited by pinkpineapple: 23/02/2012, 09:00 PM

[2FairyGirls]

Run. I had a ll from hell. It is likely the landlord is privately renting because no agency will touch her with a 10 foot pole. No not enter into any further discussions with her !!!

[casime]

No way would I go anywhere near this woman!

[Femogan Boop!]

In Queensland, the bond is a maximum of 4 weeks rent and you can't be asked to pay more than that (unless the rent is more than $500pw then the bond amount is not limted).

Paying 2 weeks rent in advance is often misunderstood by tenants. To be weeks in advance at all times, that means you pay 4 weeks and when 2 weeks of it runs out, you pay another 2. It doesn't mean you pay 2 weeks, wait until it all runs out and then pay rent again.

If that's your agreement, she could go to the Tribunal for a breach of the contract. Whether it gets her anywhere is another story.

Like a PP said, this Lessor sounds a bit full on. Avoid like the plague.

[*cough*]

I wouldnt be touching a private landlord like that with a ten foot barge pole. If she is this much truble beforeyou even move in imagine what she would be like once you were actually there!

This.

Renting from her would be asking for trouble.