You could try to get the landlord / estate agent speak with the neighbors about this first, then break the lease? Or perhaps you could even speak with them yourself?

I would feel the same way. I would gather all the things that went wrong and ring the Consumer Affairs or Tenants Union in your state, they should be able to give you step by step advice how this can be solved. Here is a link to an article I wrote with contact details for services where tenants can get friendly help http://www.homeiown.com/renting-a-house-and-have-a-problem-heres-how-to-get-help/

When this is over please update us here on what happened and how it was solved, OK?

So sorry to hear you have to put up with this all, and that it inconveniences your family. I think that the options are either (1) break a lease and pay the costs, or (2) get the landlord to cooperate. You can get help with (2) through tenants’ union or consumer affairs in your state. Have a look at this article http://www.homeiown.com/renting-a-house-and-have-a-problem-heres-how-to-get-help/ – it lists all the organizations that can help you make the landlord listen to your requests. Hope you can solve this soon!

This certainly sounds suspicious. I suggest that you contact an organization such as Tenants’ Union or Consumer Affairs – there is a list in this article http://www.homeiown.com/renting-a-house-and-have-a-problem-heres-how-to-get-help/. They will be able to suggest the right way to handle the situation.

Did the TUV people suggest a course of action? From what I know they can provide tenants advocacy services or at least tell you what legal action you can take against the landlord. Keep us posted here, we’d like to follow your progress.

Sound like you need legal advice, not just a “common sense” advice. I suggest that you read my article here http://www.homeiown.com/renting-a-house-and-have-a-problem-heres-how-to-get-help/ – it lists all the organizations in all states that help tenants solve problems such as the one you described. I am sure that Tenants Union in your state can help you with this.

Cheers,
Chris

You can get advice and complete answers to your questions from a Tenants Union in your state – I’ve just written an article that lists organizations in all states that deal with tenancy issues and represent tenants’ interests. Please go here for the details http://www.homeiown.com/renting-a-house-and-have-a-problem-heres-how-to-get-help/

Cheers,
Chris

kinds regards
madelynn

Hoping you can offer some advice.

I live in a rental property of 4 persons in Victoria through a private landlord, all with equal bond, with a signed lease for 12 months to be concluded in May. One of our housemates had a temporary relocation interstate for business, which grew from 2 to 4 weeks as originally planned to 3 to 4 months. His employer continued to pay rent for this period. He returned to announce that he had been offered a generous contract to relocate permanently and would departing in 3 days. He stated that as a part of his generous new contract, his employer would pay his share of the rent until February, a verbal agreement between the four of us. He has made no attempt to find a replacement for himself nor has he contacted us to enquire about our attempts to do the same. Dozens of phone calls, to his only contact number, have gone unanswered as we have attempted to discuss options for the ongoing payments. 2 days after rent is due he says he will no longer pay, despite our verbal agreement stating that his employer will pay until the end of February. We feel somewhat ambushed as we had no knowledge that a quarter of our rather large monthly lease was about to cease.

My housemates and I would like to know where we stand regarding:
-whose responsibility is it to replace a departing housemate? (ie. remaining tenants, tenant that left or the landlord)
-can the 3 remaining tenants pay their full share and put the matter of the outstanding rent to the landlord to pursue?
-what grounds do we/landlord have to force the departed tenant to pay rent?

We would greatly appreciate any advice you have on the matter.

Thanks, Nicole