Thank you all for your advice and opinions. The guy was using his position and my inexperience to his advantage. He ended up charging an extra $60 per week above what we originally agreed on. The mess was junk and rubbish under the house and internally it was filthy, unclean and unlivable. Unfortunately he had me in a difficult position. I had to accept the increase to the rent and as far as the mess goes, we cleaned it ourselves but my soliciter says after settlement, sue him!!

Who can be bothered really. I learnt a very important lesson about what to look for and what to have in the contracts. I will never make this mistake again. Thank you all for your info. I think in the end, he just got what he had wanted all along and we got shafted, but our own fault really.