Is this an unreasonable request?

Discussion in 'Property Management' started by Landlording, 5th Dec, 2016.

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  1. Landlording

    Landlording New Member

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    Hi guys,

    Long time reader, first time posting!

    Keen to get your thoughts on the following issue.

    My tenants have requested for the air conditioner be repaired as it has stopped working.

    Agent has organised for a contractor to come out to fix the issue, but tenants are refusing to offer a time, stating that they are busy. Contractor has offered to come by any day of the week, but still no go. They're demanding that the Agent use their key as they don't want to waste their time with the issue and if we don't oblige they'll go to tribunal.

    I have the spare key with me, so I'll need to go to the agents office which is on the other side of town, which I'm trying to avoid due to time constraints.

    Contractor has offered to come around at any time or day (including Sat/Sun) which is good for them. But they weren't having any of it.

    Keen to know what people think of the situation as it seems to be a grey area from everything I've read?


    Thanks!!
     
    Last edited: 5th Dec, 2016
  2. EN710

    EN710 Well-Known Member

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    Get agreement in writing that they are happy for repairer to go at x time and y date to do the fix?
     
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  3. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    In the first inatance , usually give the contractors the tenants numbers and let them tee up a time because 98% of people can act like adults.

    For the other 2%, PM can either facilitate their access (eg if tenant is at work) or send an entry notice (48hrs here in SA, 24-72 in other states) to enforce it.

    Sounds like your PM doesn't want to go there?
     
  4. Foreshadow

    Foreshadow Well-Known Member

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    I don't think your tenants are being too unreasonable. I'm hoping they both work and are not able to take time off work to wait around for the aircon guy to turn up. Get that spare key, and get your property manager to sort it out. That's what you pay them for.

    I'd be more concerned about why you don't have spare keys to start with, but I'm guessing there's a story to that.
     
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  5. Landlording

    Landlording New Member

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    I have the spare key with me, so I'll need to go to the agents office which is on the other side of town, which I'm trying to avoid.

    Contractor has offered to come around at any time or day (including Sat/Sun) which is good for them. But they weren't having any of it.
     
  6. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Get a key cut and give it to the agent. Seems odd they don't have one already.

    Make sure they issue correct entry notice or they get tenant's approval to allow the agent to open up for the repairmang. We've had this happen once before. PITA tenant. Wanted us to fix something, refused entry. Luckily we'd sold and house settled before we had to sort it out. New owner is welcome to them.
     
  7. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    Get your key cut and give it to the pm (who should already have a set! ) then the air con man can grab the key and do his thang anytime.
    Otherwise just let it get hotter :p
     
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  8. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    PM should have keys. Any reason why they don't?
    PM should liaise with repair man to arrange access.
    Marg
     
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  9. Ed Barton

    Ed Barton Well-Known Member

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    Doesn't sound like a PITA tenant, but a PITA agent. Sounds like a great tenant - 'let yourself in, do what you have to do'
     
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  10. Landlording

    Landlording New Member

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    Agent is happy to go in, I just need to go and drop the key off.

    I guess I just need to suck it up and make the commute!
     
  11. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    The fly in the ointment appears to me to be that you dont want to drive across town to give back the spare key. Do this, then ac guy can pick up and do his thing. Not rocket surgery
     
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  12. Landlording

    Landlording New Member

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    @DaveM

    Spot on - I'm just trying to avoid the 2 hour drive. :p

    I thought we could accommodate by providing a 24/7 contractor to fix the issue, but tenant refuses to make any time available.
     
  13. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    Maybe just express post it if its that long a drive?
     
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  14. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    Sadly many repairers are notoriously unreliable when it comes to arriving at the time they agree to.

    I really don't blame the tenant, a "first thing" promise to attend often turns into an all day wait, if they turn up at all.

    I have wasted far too many days waiting around for tradies. When I find a reliable one, I stick to them as long as they work in the trade.
    Marg
     
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  15. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    Or courier
     
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  16. Gockie

    Gockie Life is good ☺️ Premium Member

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    Or airtasker if they have lots of good reviews. Btw. I trust people in general to do the right thing... If I didn't I wouldn't airbnb.
     
  17. wobbycarly

    wobbycarly Well-Known Member

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    Why doesn't the agent have a key? Seems strange. For us, it's more likely that the agent has a key than we do!
     
  18. Xenia

    Xenia Well-Known Member

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    Personally I do not involve my landlords in meeting trades people or arranging quotes. Unless they want to and ask to do it.

    Property management should be a hands off service where the pm takes care of everything including meeting tradies for quotes if required.

    How would they deal with that situation if the landlord was overseas?
     
  19. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, agent should hold the key, for an owner it is optional.

    If they have waited around and been stuffed around prior, they probably do not want this. If they are at home most of the time and being difficult, then that means just that.
     
  20. dabbler

    dabbler Well-Known Member

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    You could have express posted it.