I've actually been arguing with Ray White over this fee today... here are the emails:
Me:
I am not happy with my current ledger - the $2 payment fee seems to be coming out of the money I am paying. I dispute this amount outstanding and would like it be rectified. Let me make it clear I will not be paying then $2 payment fee since a free payment option was never provided to me.
In NSW, you must provide 1 free method of paying rent - this was never provided to me. Can you please advise of such details so I can pay rent this way from now on? I am more than happy to come into the office and pay cash if required.
Their response:
The free method of payment is: You can go to St George bank and get 4 free bank cheques a month provided you open a bank account with them. That is our free option.
Me:
Yeah, sorry but that is a joke. I won't be paying the $2 payment fee. I will go to tribunal if you guys want to push the issue further.
Them:
We do not deduct that fee it is a payment fee - BPAY? is that the method you use?.
Please see attached the payment form. The second page has a list of all the fees and charges in the first column down the bottom.
This is a standard fee for Bpay. It is not for us.
Me:
I think someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes if that's what they're telling you. The reason you guys charge a fee is because of the gateway system you use.
Ray White are the only real estate to do this from my experience. I don't get charges a fee when I pay my water, electricity, council, phone, or any other kind of bill.
Them:
It says on the form that I attached in my last email the following:
"TRANSACTION FEES: When you access the Ray White Payment Gateway services You agree to pay us a non-refundable transaction fee. These fees are currently:
Credit card fee 2.2%
Bank account fee $1.65
BPAY $2
OTC $3
No one is pulling the wool over your eyes
Me:
It's because of the "gateway payment system" you use - expensive software.
The costs should be incurred by the owner under property management fees since it is a tax deduction, not by the tenant.
I refuse to pay it as I was not incurring these fees with LJ Hooker, as well as my rent until my ledger is squared up by $14 and a reasonable FREE payment option provided.
I will take the matter to tribunal if need be.
Them:
I dont have time to be arguing this with you.
I have already told you that the free method of payment is: You can go to St George bank and get 4 free bank cheques a month provided you open a bank account with them. That is our free option. Alternatuively you can use your own cheques.
We will not be refunding the $14 to you.
Please make sure your payments are on time. They need to be paid in advance not in arrears.
I'm sorry if you have an issue with this but there is NOTHING I can do about it.
Me:
it's not a free payment option as St George will charge me $5 in bank fees per month.
I realise it's not your fault and it's nothing personal, but I will take the issue up with the relevant authority bodies.
I called the Department of Fair Trading today. They told me I had to give them written notice demanding a refund and a free payment option. If I'm not happy with the outcome, I can take take the matter to tribunal which will cost me $36. I'll do that over the principle of the matter.