The number of Orange rental property tenants seeking help from a tenants’ advice service has risen by 15 per cent in the past year.
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The South West NSW Tenants Advice Service [SWNTAS], which covers Orange, has also assisted 19 per cent more people with rental disputes at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2016-17 over 2015-16.
SWNTAS is run by the not-for-profit company VERTO for NSW Fair Trading.
VERTO chief executive Ron Maxwell said the major concerns included repairs, cleaning bills and bonds.
Mr Maxwell said one Orange tenant had been asked for a lease-breaking fee after being forced out of the property by domestic violence.
Others had complained about having to pay for repairs for damage a perpertrator had caused during assaults.
Mr Maxwell said tenants had complained about a lack of action or getting a termination notice after requesting repairs.
“Repair requests by tenants include ovens, stoves, heating, air-conditioners and hot water services not working,” he said.
Tenants also complained about high power bills from poorly insulated houses, blocked sewerage pipes causing flooding and faulty electrical wiring.
Mr Maxwell said tenants were also concerned about landlords withholding their bond through “unreasonable” claims and giving termination notices for no reason.
“With the residential market becoming increasingly competitive in Orange, it’s important that tenants are aware of both their rights and responsibilities,” he said.
“Similarly landlords need to act fairly and reasonably to ensure tenants are not unnecessarily forced out of their homes as this can have a negative flow-on affect for many families.”
Following the Central Western Daily’s story on bonds several renters have complained about their treatment.
Cat Stevenson said she spent two days cleaning her rental in Orange.
“It still wasn’t good enough,” she said.
“I was charged $500 to “clean” a clean house. The report I was given prior was minimal... eg light switches dusty. This was on top of carpet cleaning costs. I take pride as a tenant as I’m also a landlord.”
Tabitha Skye Johnstone said an agent tried to keep their bond money for a varnish drip on a door frame.
“It was from the owners varnishing the trims well before we moved in,” she said.