I've just moved into a fully renovated government house in WA (housing commission/homeswest) & I have a question for anyone who's ever rented through them before.
I was told they only provide a standard house, so no phone lines, accessories, etc, unless a previous tenant has done what ever it is. Fair enough, I get that.
But seriously, do I honestly believe that basic fly screens aren't part of a 'basic house'?? This house has 7 or 8 windows & only one has a fly screen (which means it was built with them yeah?) Yet when I asked about having the others replaced, I was told they don't do that unless its a domestic violence situation.
What is a basic fly screen going to do in a domestic violence situation??? I don't want security screens (though I could've used DV if I wanted too), I just want to be able to open my windows!
There is also no curtain rail in the shower... can I ask for one? Or do I have to do that myself? I get that they just spent $60 000 on this place, but it wasn't me who trashed it! I'm pretty sure you still need to provide a certain standard of living?
Love how they just treat everyone like we're all dodgy mofo's who just want a house for wood to burn.
We lived in housing commission as a kid so Im not sure how much was my parents own out of pocket expenses but the things you are talking about, I agree *should* be included but they are not essentials IMO. The things I would say they are talking about are working locks, hot water, working stove/oven, working lights & plumbing. The rest would be up to you.
The shower curtain rod shouldn't cost you much. But if there is no frames for the fly screens then that would be costly. I lived in a house once that had no fly screens or frames to put them in so I just bought a length of flyscreen & used thumb tacks to put it over the window frame. Just be sure to push the tacks in so the holes they leave in the wood are hidden from view.
Sounds similar to regular rentals
But seriously, they must have had fly screens and security screens mixed up when you asked them. I would ask again and make sure they know what you are talking about. Also I would expect a phone line in a standard house....what happens if you need to call 000 and you don't have a mobile??
You might have asked a staff member who wasn't listening properly. My policy is always to ask 3 times. Ring again & explain that you understand you're not entitled to security screens, but what about basic fly screens?
So, after looking for the last 2 weeks for some sort of shower curtain rail I could some how put in without damaging the walls, & putting some serious thought into how I'm going to screen these windows, I had an out of the blue knock on the door today.
Those were done, plus they fixed the broken soap dish, back door handle AND tiles! With a note on the job order that the house is empty So they have the job order there ready to go, but from my experience so far they are being sent out late (electrician didn't show within 48 hours, put on priority 1. He called & tells me that's the first he's heard of the job )
But I now have a new hot water system & the stripped car to the side gone Just waiting for my yard to be done... I've only been in here 3.5 weeks. It was only vacant before me for 5 months...
Has anyone lived in government housing WA?
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So they have the job order there ready to go, but from my experience so far they are being sent out late (electrician didn't show within 48 hours, put on priority 1. He called & tells me that's the first he's heard of the job 
)
Just waiting for my yard to be done... I've only been in here 3.5 weeks. It was only vacant before me for 5 months... 
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