I am still renting myself, and whilst I don't have much advice I just wanted to say good on you for allowing pets!
Personally I think DH and I are fantastic tenants and we have 2 dogs. My house is always clean and I look after it. Besides, you can usually tell which ones are the crummy tenants that are dirty and allow their pets to destroy houses.
Actually you've made me think with the comment about the second couple Sloane. Seeing as J didn't even tell us that she showed through the second couple instead of the original guy the first time, and then really pushed for them to get the place, I wonder if maybe she's put out that we still went with original ones? It meant she had to show the place more than just once, and maybe they have lost those tenants. Not that it's my problem, she still should have told us that she'd be showing through someone completely different to ask what we'd like to do. Seemed like she just thought she'd get these other two interested and hoped we'd jump at them and forget the first lot all together.
I called back, all ready to ask for the manager and let him know we weren't happy, but J answered! She reckons she tried to call, I reckon that's BS because I've had my phone on me all day, haven't been in any out of service areas, and there are no missed calls. Anyway she said KI guy signed up that day, took the agreement back home to KI for his girlfriend to sign, and they've faxed it back. They're all good to go, and when they get here they'll sign the actual lease. Apparently the agents sign on our behalf, but I'd really like to see what's in it first. We do get a copy. I'm really annoyed at myself because I should have told her we were unhappy with the lack of communication, or at least asked to speak to the manager, but I'm not good at confrontation of any kind and chickened out.
I've got his mobile number though, so I reckon when DH gets home at 3:30 I'll call him and let him know we're a bit annoyed, and ask to see the lease before it's signed. I think we should at least see what their pet conditions are that they're including.
We were in the same boat as you Tasha, I think we were great tenants but no one would look at us because we had a dog!
I would think that you would see the agreement before it's signed by the tennants. If you find an error, how can it be sorted if they have already signed. You would have to grin and bear the error and that's not how you do business.
Oh dear, J sounds like our soon to be ex property manager. Ours was absolutely terrible, in fact she told us she was showig through one lady when we were moving out. I rang her the day she was meant to bringing her through to make sure we had the right time this was happening.. But no she ahd changed the time on us, and had made it a group viewing of over 15 couples!! We werent happy at all. Im glad you went with the KI couple because they were your choice and I think thats more important than the real estates choice. gut feeling and all that stuff!
I would have a chat tot he manager/owner about your experience, it cant hurt anyhow. Tell them whats been going on and how your expectations werent being met as landlords, which is a major let down for you. And make sure you see the lease before its all final, even if its just to make yourself feel better!
Thanks guys, your comments about seeing the lease first made me just do it, nervous or not lol. I called his mobile number direct because I dunno what I would've done if J answered again lol.
He seemed surprised that we hadn't heard anything in so long - that J had shown people the house on the 11th and the only way I knew anything about it was by calling today. I asked him if the agents usually sign the lease on our behalf, and he replied "Well we can, as long as you've approved the tenants." I said we'd like to see any conditions in it because there's a dog involved, and again he seemed surprised that we hadn't seen it. I've only been a tenant before, not a landlord, but my impression from that process was that the landlords would actually see the initial application form from the tenants, and then sign or at least see the lease. The way this was going, we would have wound up with people we didn't originally agree to, and we'd never have seen an agreement or lease until after it was signed! Makes me think she's just seen how young we are, heard that we've never done this before and decided to just do things her way.
He said he'd speak to J and call back. J actually just called herself, and said "I've just heard you spoke to V on his mobile seeking clarification? If you're home now I can come by with the agreement and go through all conditions and annexures with you if you like?" Uh, yeah! First time she's been proactive, sounded like he gave her a bit of a kick up the bum to get into gear lol. And now I'm nervous about her coming here! Feels like I've dobbed on someone lol.
Just remember you are paying her wages and she is supposed to be acting as an agent for you. Be polite and see what happens. If she is rude, let her know the interview is over and you will not be doing business with her anymore and let her know you will be ringing her boss to tell him why. If there is any changes don't sign there are no changes on the original.
Hopefully you DH will be home when she comes.
All the best.
She was here about 10 minutes before DH got home. The thing is she's actually a really lovely lady, I just feel like the communication could be a whole lot better and it still really seems as though the local people were the preferred option. She mentioned again about how they were existing tenants of the agency, and pre-approved, and how they really had to get the KI guy over to see the place before leasing it to him even though he was our preferred option. I get that, but still it would've been nice to be kept in the loop.
It turns out the agreement that was signed on the day was the actual lease agreement. I should have realised that's what it would be, but it just didn't twig. I thought it'd be like a formal application that we'd get to see to make sure we approve them, but that was done before they saw the place. Thankfully there's nothing in it that we don't agree with and the pet annexure is very good.
So now they're moving in on the 4th! Apparently after every quarterly inspection we get a copy, so I'm looking forward to seeing how our little house goes And she's said if we have any questions to call right away. So I think everything's good now
She sounds a little bit lazy tbh. She prob wanted you to pick her tenants so she didn't have to run any checks on them. Just remember whatever you do with agents.... Do it in writing. Email is best and SAVE all your conversations. Just keep your bum covered, just in case good luck
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