Anyone else had a bad experience of House Share in Milton?

[Global Traveller]

Have you experienced bad service, dirty acommodation, Bed Bugs, rats and other unsavoury pests. Or received a Rip off service from unscrupulous landlords taking part of your bond for cleaning, charging more than you initially thought by hidden costs??

Beware these people are operating in Brisbane and own properties in Milton and the CBD.

Share your experiences here - so that other Backpackers / overseas travellers do not suffer the same mistakes.

[kidd house]

Hi Global traveller...When it comes to share houses it pays to do your homework and look beyond the cheap rent.
1. Ask how many rooms and then how many people actually live in the house. (6 or more unrelated people in Brisbane City Council MUST have Part 14 fire & safety compliance = back to base smoke detectors, exit signs, extinguishers etc....) AS of 30th June 2009 6 people reduces to 5 people so be informed!
2. If BOND is taken ASK "IS THIS LODGED WITH RTA? If it is you should recieve a "bond receipt" by mail within 1 - 6 weeks time. If you don't get a RTA receipt call RTA www.rta.qld.gov.au and ASK if they have received it. If they haven't keep this in mind when you depart and the landlord takes your bond money. Remind the landlord that they are obligated to submit the bond BY LAW to RTA, if they want to pursue the matter, then you will be forced to report them. But, make sure that you have followed YOUR obligations, as you are required to CLEAN your room to the condition it was when you first moved in. Ahhh that's why you should make sure you get a "condition report" when you first move in - Why not take photos on the day you move in?
3. If Bond money is taken you should also get a "condition report" also ask for a "departure checklist" so that YOU KNOW the hidden costs.
4. If you pay bond with no lease or rent week to week, then you take your chances....that's life!
5. Go to www.rta.qld.gov.au & look under the "residential services" tab. Educate yourself about what a landlord should provide and what you as a tenant is obligated to do under "room style accommodation"

If the paperwork is dodgy, then keep looking for somewhere that operates via the rules.....You often get what you pay for!

[Global Traveller]

Thanks Kidd House - very useful information there.

I was particularly interested in experiences had by other travellers - especially after having read this ad. - here on Gumtree under accommodation: -

Milton - Backpacker rooms
Price: Please contact Ad ID: 126606710
Visits: 138

Address: Milton, QLD
Date Listed: 09/05/2009

This is a warning to any backpackers who are going to move into share houses in Milton owned by ABS/Ken Allsop. You will not get your full deposit back, even if you give adequate notice to move out, at least $40 is taken off for 'cleaning.' You will also share your house with rats and bedbugs!!!!!!!!

If you see the mobile number 0411 428 888 Beware!!


Obviously others out there have experienced similar! Share with us!

[kophead]

yep the same thing happend me and my gf.we were only in the country 3 weeks.when we met up with ken he seemed really helpfull.he told us we could just pay 200 dollars bond untill we made our mind up on how long we were gonna stay.but one long weekend was more than enough.with the place falling down around us.ye we knew what it looked like but we were desperate and he gave us hostel rates untill we decided if we wanted to stay long term.so the 200 dollars was a complete scam.after we moved out good ould ken changed his pesonality completly according to a few other people he has done alot.no paperwork just a shake of the hand.200 for security ie damage(if there was anthing left to damage)pissed me off big time we really needed that money for a proper deposit.people like that dont get away with giving my country a bad name like that at home and crazy thing about he still running the place after god knows how many years.exploitation

[Vergulde Draeck]

[Global Traveller]