EFFIE BATEMAN | Lifestyle | Contact
Residents at a slightly dilapidated share house in Betoota Heights are quickly learning that their rental agent isn’t that quick to answer about maintenance issues, but will gladly chase them up if rent is an hour overdue.
Like many people who are under 30 and not coupled up, Leah, Manisha and Gwen find themselves living in an overpriced, freezing cold terrace house that is in dire need of maintenance repairs.
Speaking to Leah, who is the mum of the house, The Advocate learns that the girls tactfully waited until after there was a rental increase to request repairs, lest they give the landlord another excuse to pump up the rent.
“The back door’s broken and can’t close properly, there are no working lights in the kitchen and Manisha’s room is filled with mould after all the rain”, explains Leah, “and a few other issues but we don’t want to ask for too much, you know?”
Leah says she’s only ever asked for repairs once in the past, but that too, took at least a month to sort out.
“It’s funny hey, the agent is quick to reply if we have to sign on to a new lease or if we have to pay a water bill.”
“By the time the agent does reply, something else has broken.”
More to come.
