July 24, 2010

Tenancy legal advice Please?

By Planet Wealth

Hi! I am an international student renting a room in share accomodation. In the first day..before I have signed the rental contract, the landlord told me that the weekly rental price is including everything and no much to pay extra on top of it. So that I chose to take the room and signed 6 months rental contract. But..after one month renting the room, the landlord start charging me per month to buy rubbish bag, aluminium foils, bleach, broom, etc. And charged per ever six-months to clean the stove.Then.. she started charging me .30 per day for using heater in the winter since last four months ago. Non of these weekly, six-monthly and .30 daily for heater were mentoined on the rental contract nor let me know in the first before I signed the contract. Last two days ago, told me that she is going to increase per week rent from next 10 days. Is it legal to charge these unreasonable fees to me or is it legal to increse the rent from next 10 days without any early notice?
I will be moving out next month as I can’t pay these too much extra charges, but I want to take legal action to her as she is doing this to all the tenants excepts from 3 tenants from her native country. She is very racious and discriminate too. I am so mad with her =(
I am renting this room in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Thank you =)

Topics: renting shares | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Tenancy legal advice Please?”

  1. pragmatism_rules Says:
    July 24th, 2010 at 7:58 am

    Tell her that since none of these things are in the rental contract and that the prices are excessive, you will not be paying for them anymore. And that you plot on seeing the local Landlord & Tenants bureau (let us know which city/state you are in and we will look it up) about getting a rebate for the heater charge as that was not in your contract (hopefully you kept a copy of it). Excellent luck.

  2. Babe Says:
    July 24th, 2010 at 7:58 am

    You need to check with your state or county rental law agency, wherever you are, or get a free 30 minute consult with an attorney specializing in rental laws in your state.

    Go to http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/CA256EB5000644CE/page/Renting? and lodge a complaint. Have all the other tenants do the same. Let all international students that you know be aware of what this government agency can do.

    In California a landlord MUST give thirty days notice before raising the rents.

    If your rental contract does not include the extras she buys for cleaning and utilities, you SHOULD be within your rights to not pay the extra fees. The attorney should be able to advise you for confirmation.

    Perhaps if all the tenants unite and refuse to pay the extra fees AND report her to the local housing authority, something will be done for everyone.

    If you don’t have to pay the extra fees, could you still continue to live there? Moving is such a hassle with packing/unpacking/changing the mail address, letting all your friends and relatives know where you are, getting your visa and drivers license changed, etc. Maybe getting the landlord straightened out would allow you to stay?

    Excellent luck!

    Babe

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