Hi all,
Long time reader, first time poster here
I have a dilemma. Sorry about the massive post but I thought I'd get the whole situation down in one go!
Myself and hubby have an IP in Canberra. We have a lease signed but currently only 1 person living in the apartment is on the lease (have had the same tenants in there for about 3 years).
Have had suspicions - but PM finally confirmed on the last inspection that there are 5 adults living in the apartment (2 bed, 2 bath).
I'm not stoked about this - tenants did not inform us about additional people moving in (original lease says max 3 tenants), I'm worried about extra wear and tear, and pretty sure original tenant on the lease is probably acting as slum lord and taking a cut. However, they pay rent on time, and have for the last 3 years, let us know when anything goes wrong and generally the apartment looks OK.
MOSTLY I am concerned that this may bite us on the bum if we are breaching max occupancy laws, and also concerned that we have only one person on the lease, and we'll be stuck with squatters if he moves out (I don't think PM even has contact details for anyone else living there).
I have been pushing PM for an answer as to whether 5 people in a 2bed apartment is legal (she doesn't think it is, but can't find anything to back this up, keeps saying she'll find out and get back to me), and if so lets get them on a lease. Not really getting anywhere.
I've researched myself, called the Tenants Union just in case, they said we can't help you unless you're a tenant, call the Law Society. They said (very rudely), we can't help you unless you physically come in (I live in QLD), call the Real Estate Institute (I haven't called them - I believe they are for Real Estate professionals?). I've read the whole Residential Tenancy Act 1997. Nada.
Starting to wonder if there aren't any max occupancy laws in the ACT?
If anyone can point me in the right direction or has any knowledge, I would be eternally grateful! At the end of my tether with this one - has now been going on for 3 or 4 months.
Eve
Long time reader, first time poster here
I have a dilemma. Sorry about the massive post but I thought I'd get the whole situation down in one go!
Myself and hubby have an IP in Canberra. We have a lease signed but currently only 1 person living in the apartment is on the lease (have had the same tenants in there for about 3 years).
Have had suspicions - but PM finally confirmed on the last inspection that there are 5 adults living in the apartment (2 bed, 2 bath).
I'm not stoked about this - tenants did not inform us about additional people moving in (original lease says max 3 tenants), I'm worried about extra wear and tear, and pretty sure original tenant on the lease is probably acting as slum lord and taking a cut. However, they pay rent on time, and have for the last 3 years, let us know when anything goes wrong and generally the apartment looks OK.
MOSTLY I am concerned that this may bite us on the bum if we are breaching max occupancy laws, and also concerned that we have only one person on the lease, and we'll be stuck with squatters if he moves out (I don't think PM even has contact details for anyone else living there).
I have been pushing PM for an answer as to whether 5 people in a 2bed apartment is legal (she doesn't think it is, but can't find anything to back this up, keeps saying she'll find out and get back to me), and if so lets get them on a lease. Not really getting anywhere.
I've researched myself, called the Tenants Union just in case, they said we can't help you unless you're a tenant, call the Law Society. They said (very rudely), we can't help you unless you physically come in (I live in QLD), call the Real Estate Institute (I haven't called them - I believe they are for Real Estate professionals?). I've read the whole Residential Tenancy Act 1997. Nada.
Starting to wonder if there aren't any max occupancy laws in the ACT?
If anyone can point me in the right direction or has any knowledge, I would be eternally grateful! At the end of my tether with this one - has now been going on for 3 or 4 months.
Eve
