Tenants from heaven !!!
Brief background… IP in Darwin rented pretty much hassle-free for 5 years – until November last years. Five year tenant moved on for family reasons and PM’s placed feral tenants in who after six weeks decided not to pay rent.
The ‘feral’ comes from neighbours who had to put up with them, the PM herself who refused to do an inspection alone with one of the tenants, and brother who issues summons for court appearances and got to meet the tenants twice in 8 weeks!
The eviction process took until 1 January 2004 before they were out. 90% of phone conversation relating to the eviction process and consequent cleanup were calls made by me desperately trying to find out what was going on (I live in Tasmania). Finally decided to go up to Darwin, see what the hell was going on, give the place a makeover and find myself a decent PM.
(Boss is coming…)
Right.. where was I.
So.. spent two weeks in Darwin juggling tilers, painters, plumbers, electricians etc., and proceeded to turn worn and weary unit into funky, modern and clean unit. In between organising and sweating I found a new property manager. Big real estate, met the worman in person and explained past problems, importance of good communication (as much for the tenants as myself) and so on. On top of that, before the paperwork was even signed, I had a young couple walk into the unit mid-destruction, fall in love with it and agree to take it when complete.
Paperwork was done, new PM signed up, two weeks holiday on the Gold Coast for me to recover and celebrate then home.
Sounds good doesn’t it?
NOT!
(boss is at lunch now. Last post I promise)
Two days after arriving home, I try to contact PM to confirm new tenants in and happy.
Response = SHE’S LEFT
Instead I get Property Manager Two (hereforth referred to as PMT and that’s not because they’re the initials…) who doesn’t know the property, hasn’t read the file, doesn’t know about the ongoing works or the insurance claim in place… NOTHING!
We discussed outstanding issues and I followed up with an email covering what the last PM said would be done (eg. new property inspection after works completed, photos taken etc). This was three weeks ago.
Yesterday I got a phone call from the tenant. The PM is yet to return their phone calls (made over the last three days), they reported a blocked pipe in the bathroom which has not been addressed since made two weeks ago and they got a note from the PM that they need to get a key cut for the post box (something I asked the PM to do four weeks ago..)
I thanked the tenant and called the PM. I left a message at 2.30 Darwin time for her to call me ‘urgently’. It is now midday the next day and nothing…. NOTHING!
After all that… I’m speechless.
(I’m just letting my anger build before I ring again… just in case the PM finds the time in her busy schedule to take my call)
time for another trip blackjack
just kidding – let us know what happens
Sorry to hear about all that.. hope it all works out [
] One question though, how’d you end up buying a property in Darwin if you live in Tasmania? What were the circumstances surrounding it? []Someone who have investment property in Darwin might recommend a good PM for BlackJack.
I hope it will go well after all these trouble you go through!
Warm Regards
ChanDollars
[Keep going, you’re on your way to Frolic Freedom!]Newgen,
The Darwin unit was my PPOR before I moved to Tassie. I didn’t know anything about property investment when I left (some would say I still don’t!), didn’t know how to go about selling it so just hung onto it – hey presto the beginning of my portfolio!!!
UPDATE: Just sent a strongly worded email expressing my disappointment at their treatment of me and the tenants, ending with if they can’t contact me today I will be seeking other management arrangements. Hope it helps.
Sorry to hear you have ran into difficulty again.
I did offer my assistance I believe prior to you leaving Tassie as I live in Darwin
but I did not hear from you.I suggest if your property is in the Palmerston Area – contact Mitch Elton Raine & Horne.
Regards
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” Ralph Waldo Emerson
jancrows,
I’m so sorry I didn’t respond to your offer (not just because of the resulting problems).
The property is in Stuart Park. Coincidentally, I know the family of one of the property managers at Raine & Horne at Palmerston but was advised that they couldn’t take it on because of the location.
Blackjack
I dont see the service thus far improving with the current set up. This is not peak letting time either to be “inundated”.
I would suggest you look at one of the local companies in the city like KG Young & Assoc been in Darwin since… before the Train..(?)[
] they have a local reputation to honour.
I dont have any specific PM to recommend in their city office.
But its worth checking them out. Get other landlord references.Good Luck
Regards
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” Ralph Waldo Emerson
My sister lived in Palmerston, most of the houses in the area are or were defence personel.
How would someone check out with other landlords aboout a PM when you arent likely to have that contact, or their details because there could be a privacy issue here.
Cheers
Elves
Blackjack
Are you willing to name this bad PM or is that against forum etiquette? If you can name them it may save someone else the hassles you have had. The problem with Darwin is that so many people think that they don’t need to provide any level of service.
AM
BlackJack.
i have an IP in darwin, but live in canberra.
ring Alliance Realty. they have been really good to me. lower management costs than the others as well. have had things break in the place and they ring me right away, and are onto it first thing.
i dont have their number on me. but email me if you want it and i will get it for you.
cheers
shaunLead, Follow or get out of the bloody way
Blackjack,
This is our first contact with the forum and (as we are in the process of settling on two units in Rapid Creek) from your nightmare story are getting very cold feet indeed. No doubt we are catching you in a pretty bad frame of mind (and rightly so)….but….. could you (or anyone else) please give us some imput into investing in Darwin – just before the hammer comes down on us.
Thanks
Jac & Ray
[8]Thank you all for your responses. I got the call back from the manager of property managers yesterday. I’ve agreed to give another month of management to the same firm taking into consideration that the new property manager is new to the game and got lumped with umpteen properties because the first one left.
If I am unable to name the agents, I’m sure the names will be scrubbed… otherwise, Darwin Rental SPECIALISTS – care when there’s nothing to do other than put a stamp on an envelope – and, Raine & Horne (Darwin) seem to have too many properties per manager.
Shaun – I’ll be ringing Alliance first thing Monday. Thank you.
Jac & Ray – I’ll stay in touch re property managers. Are you local to Darwin or are you investers from afar? Don’t be put off by my tale of woe… personally I believe Darwin is the place to go for future investment and I will let you know if I ever find a property manager worthy of your custom.
Blackjack,
Glad you sound a little happier. The units we are about to settle on are currently with Boscainis…. we have decided to leave them there for the next few months to see if we are happy with their service, fees etc. – Thanks for the info on Darwin Rental Specialist (which was recommended to us) and Raine and Horne. We actually in Sydney and have purchased sight unseen….although I have family who have been in Darwin many years and have done a little of the ground work for us.
We have only just discovered this great forum (2 days ago) and have learnt soooo much already…..shame we did not know of its existance before the last purchase. Anyway I hope your agent picks up their game.
regards
Jacray
] One question though, how’d you end up buying a property in Darwin if you live in Tasmania? What were the circumstances surrounding it? [
]
] they have a local reputation to honour.
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