Property Manager not handing over property files

I need some advice. I have a property in Sydney and have been with the same real estate agency for over 12 years. After years of deteriorating service, I finally decided to terminate the property management agreement. The notice period ended this week. The property is currently vacant and I have not engaged a new property manager.
I have asked for my files to be handed over, only to be told that that is not possible because they have gone paperless. I told them to download the documents from their system. Their reply....they will charge me $55 per document! Is this even legal? The property management agreement was signed before the “paperless office” came into being.
What files/documents are property managers in NSW legally required to hand over? Are they allowed to hold files to ransom? Any advice on this issue will be greatly appreciated.

 

If the property is vacant.. what documents do you want?
Just grab the keys and go.

 

What documents do you need?

I assume you’d just need the lease and keys?

In any case - I’d ask the new agent to liaise directly with the old one to work it out.

Cheers

Jamie

 

Who dont you have a new agent?

 

If its vacant, just have locksmith change the locks and create new keys so previous agent / tenant cant get in. Find a new PM and give them the new keys.

 

Pretty much as the others have stated - what docs so you need? Considering statements & invoices are issued monthly and eoy.

Leave it to your new agent - they want the current tenant's ledger (it's Noah Boddy), a set or three of keys & an Authority / agency agreement.

Spend your energy somewhere more creative, like cruising the Harbour.

 

To answer your question, no, it is not legal if the charge is not listed in the management agreement.

 

And if its not in your management agreement, feel free to lodge a complaint with Fair Trading, Strata Communitites Australia (if it's a flat, although it might be of questionable value..), the REINSW, ACCC, A Current Affair, and your local council (just in case your agent never bothered to lodge a DA when they moved in...)... and do a post to ABC's The Checkout F.U. Tube segment, just to make a point.

 

12 years of custom, $55 per page, what a F'ing joke

hire a new PM, and get them to pick up the keys, most will do it for free,

then send a letter of demand to the PM prinicpal,

if its a well known franchise, go straight to teh head office