Help with rental application.

We are applying for houses interstate and my mum is inspecting the properties for us - she thinks we should include a cover letter with our apps so we can introduce ourselves through writing, so to speak.

The main point for doing this as our bond was not returned on the last house and we would like to present ourselves better from this.... We didn't get it back because there were unpaid damages.

One major hole in the bathroom wall caused by DFs 160kg brother slipping and falling out of the bath/shower and putting his head through the wall where he landed.

The other was some broken and missing fence pailings. This was done by some kids that hang out at the park across the street - one night they were fine, next morning, empty cans and bottles in our yard and fence is not in one piece. I have since been told that this is not our fault and should have been reported to the police for him to claim on his contents insurance. We didn't know that. (nor did he or his mother think to inform us when they were told, asshats).

We had every intention of paying for the damages but it took us 3 weeks to get a quote from the guy he requested we use. The finally got the quote the day after our termination notice :doh:

So, we did not pay it, too hard to pull enough money out of you arse for bond and advance rent and pay $1000 in damages so (we had the cash to pay for damages but couldnt use it) - so it was pay for them to be repaired and get the bond back - or have to go to thr tribunal and plead our case for why we couldn't afford another rental property to be out by his requested date.

So anyway - obviously we need to make a statement that says that we have learnt our lesson, know our responsibilities - dont know what else ot include... how bad does 'damages' sound on a tenancy application. Noone will want to give us a place :( So we want to put something with it... just dont know what and/or how.

I would also like to tell his brother to give us our money for the damages he caused - 3 months ago and it probably would have been repaired FFS.

hmmm..... could you maybe just explain that due to unforseen circumstances, quotes weren't recieved in time and therefore XYZ occured???
I'm not really much help I know. Maybe some REALLY good references as well? Did you get on with the previous RE??
other than that I really am not sure what else you could put. Again, sorry I'm not much help. I have my :crossfingers: for you that you get something. xx

No we did not get on with him - he blamed us for never informing him of the damages when he never once supplied us with contact details. He never once supplied us with the copy of the lease so then how were we supposed to know our rights. Then he kicked us out less than 10days before Christmas. The Grinch I swear.... Not once did repairs we requested get done ... oh actually - once - out of at least 8 repairs we listed to him.

And the real reason we got kicked out was because he raised the property price $70 per week!!! :o

I think maybe just explain what happened in a proffessional manner. I.e it was accidental damage and maybe even explain the scenario so it is obvious that it was a real accident not you were wasted and "accidentally" cause damage etc etc and also explain the fence situation because that is obviously not your fault and unfortunately you didn't know your rights or the re took advantage etc etc.

Just explain you were prepared to repair the damage in the bathroom and took steps to do that but you used the person requested by the re and the quote didn't come through until after your lease was up and so it was agreed upon that the money would come out of your bond.

Yea I really think explain the whole story because accidents do happen, you were prepared and tried to take responsibility for that and the fence situation comes down to a dodgy owner and/or re taking advantage. I think when explained it is fine whereas "damages" that sounds a bit didgy to me and I wouldn't really want to rent to someone under those circumstances but yea when explained its ok

Thanks Jas, that is what I thought. But I wondering how it might come across.

Does anyone have suggestions on working or anything?