No-one will be cheaper than yourself

thanks Duckster, we have used them for work previously on that house and were very disappointed with the standard of work

that is curious – although have had the "items" (read junk) in storage for 7 weeks now. I was of the understanding it was from the day we got the keys/access

oh Blackjack I only too well understand the anguish you have gone through.
We just extracted ourselves from a similiar story. Unfortunately as the tenant never paid bond (long story) our insurance was nul and void. Massive clean up and rubbish removal, holes in walls, broken windows and internal doors. Locks replaced, we have to store items left behind for 60 days (grrrrr don't get me started!!). Terrorised neighbours.
We have had no rent since xmas and have found it hard going as we just purchased a property and sunk all money into fixing it up – very bad timing.
In the end I negotiated with the tenant to drop the rent owing to get the house back – we could have requested an emergency VCAT hearing with security and the local police said they would execute the order of possession within 15mins. But this could have taken another plus week. If the court ordered for them to pay costs they would probably only repay at $10 a month. I still think we were very lucky in the end.
Our accountant has just put in tax variation forms for our salary tax to be dropped – wish I had of thought of this earlier on in the piece, we have always claimed at the eof the fy – which is going to help significantly

did it end up getting rented? nothing is showing up on the link

There was a fantastic magazine report in the age the other weekend comprehensively reviewing Melbourne suburbs. Did you see it? If not can photocopy and send to you if you like. Might help with your research? Maree

I just did dot points and the agent put them into the contract. ie. subject to finance and pest/building inspection, settlement period. We also asked for unrestricted access if the property becomes vacant prior to settlement. Gives you a chance to do some painting, polish boards/replace carpet etc (make sure the settlement is going to go through though)

Is everything still original? We have a 60+ year old house and it was certainly worth our while to get one done. We used Catalyst

As long as the tenant puts the bin on the kerbside and brings it inside in a timely manner (ie – not leave it on the kerbside for days on end), then I do not think the tenant should replace it. If they did they could reasonably expect them to take it with them when they leave. Body corporate/you need to investigate providing a secure area for them to be stored in. Plus you could claim it as a expense.

Our bin got set on fire by youths (there was a spate of them). Almost burnt the whole house down. We had to pay to replace it despite a police report.

do you claim depreciation?