Hi, I am a tenant who recently signed a lease for a rental property in Adelaide.
I viewed the property while the outgoing tenant was still there. I then met with the landlord prior to the open inspection.
The landlord pointed out he can't ask for a deposit but asked me to sign a bond eft transfer form to hold the property. He also asked for 6 weeks rent as bond, which I realised after I had signed was not affordable for me due to just starting a new job and not getting paid for 3 weeks. I then sought and was approved for assistance with bond from Housing SA. I asked the landlord if he would accept a Housing SA bond and he agreed to release the first bond.
I then started to feel very uncomfortable about the amount of rent being charged for the condition of the property. I hadn't been given a copy of the lease or even the landlord's last name or address. I decided to approach the landlord about not proceeding with the lease on financial grounds. He was very angry I didn't want to proceed and said he had to think about whether or not he would cancel our agreement. He also didn't turn up to a meeting we had arranged.
Eventually we spoke on the phone and he indicated he should receive compensation for my not proceeding to the tune of up to 4 weeks rent and advertising costs. He also said he was too busy to hold an open inspection.
I said I thought this was unreasonable as I hadn't even moved into the property and he could put the property on the market again. I offered him one week's rent as compensation but he refused this. He has also not advertised for a new tenant. He was initially advertising using free means anyway so charging me for advertising seems unfair.
The bonds office insist on processing my bond and tell me to just claim it back. I am very upset as it is several thousand dollars and I can't afford to lose that much money. I can't get them on the phone to get any advice about what to do.
My understanding of my options is:
1. I can submit a claim for bond refund which may be disputed.
2. I can apply to the Tribunal for termination on the grounds of financial hardship.
I would appreciate any advice (I know I have responsibilities and should not have signed a lease, I am not disputing that. I think his idea of compensation is unfair.)
I viewed the property while the outgoing tenant was still there. I then met with the landlord prior to the open inspection.
The landlord pointed out he can't ask for a deposit but asked me to sign a bond eft transfer form to hold the property. He also asked for 6 weeks rent as bond, which I realised after I had signed was not affordable for me due to just starting a new job and not getting paid for 3 weeks. I then sought and was approved for assistance with bond from Housing SA. I asked the landlord if he would accept a Housing SA bond and he agreed to release the first bond.
I then started to feel very uncomfortable about the amount of rent being charged for the condition of the property. I hadn't been given a copy of the lease or even the landlord's last name or address. I decided to approach the landlord about not proceeding with the lease on financial grounds. He was very angry I didn't want to proceed and said he had to think about whether or not he would cancel our agreement. He also didn't turn up to a meeting we had arranged.
Eventually we spoke on the phone and he indicated he should receive compensation for my not proceeding to the tune of up to 4 weeks rent and advertising costs. He also said he was too busy to hold an open inspection.
I said I thought this was unreasonable as I hadn't even moved into the property and he could put the property on the market again. I offered him one week's rent as compensation but he refused this. He has also not advertised for a new tenant. He was initially advertising using free means anyway so charging me for advertising seems unfair.
The bonds office insist on processing my bond and tell me to just claim it back. I am very upset as it is several thousand dollars and I can't afford to lose that much money. I can't get them on the phone to get any advice about what to do.
My understanding of my options is:
1. I can submit a claim for bond refund which may be disputed.
2. I can apply to the Tribunal for termination on the grounds of financial hardship.
I would appreciate any advice (I know I have responsibilities and should not have signed a lease, I am not disputing that. I think his idea of compensation is unfair.)