Who to call for help when renting goes bad

You may be a private landlord or a tenant who just needs some advice on what to do in a rental situation.

For whatever reason, things may start going wrong.

It might be your fault, it might be their fault.

Whoever’s fault it is, where can you go to seek some advice on what to do next?

The first thing to do – and one that is often overlooked – is talk to your landlord or tenant.

If there is a property manager, talk to them.

Don’t let silence or frustrations boil over to the point where the relationship becomes unstuck. Often, talking about the issue may bring about a resolution.

You cannot fix an issue that the other party does not know about.

This is particularly so if you are a tenant.

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Communication is the key for a good relationship between tenants and landlords.

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If you are going to be late with your rent, let the landlord or property manager know.

If you have caused damage to the property, let them know.

Nothing will infuriate a landlord more than if you suddenly fall into arrears with no communication or they discover a broken item during a routine inspection.

A good idea before you approach the other party is to arm yourself with the facts and the law.

You can seek independent and confidential advice from a lot of sources.

REISA operates a free Query Connect hotline five days a week on 1800 804 365.

This line is staffed by real estate professionals who will give you confidential and professional advice.

Consumer and Business Services, the South Australian Government agency that administers residential tenancies, also operates a free help line on 131 882.

They can also give you confidential advice. CBS also has a very comprehensive website that provides all the forms and facts on residential tenancies – this is a particularly useful source for private landlords.

If you are a tenant, you can seek advice from RentRight SA on 1800 060 462.

This service is a free and independent service helping people sustain their tenancies in private rentals.

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There are several services tenants and landlords can call on if they need advice.

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They can provide advice on your rights and responsibilities and assist you in support and negotiation with your landlord.

You can also seek the advice of Community Justice Services SA on 1300 850 650 to assist you with any disputes relating to landlords and tenants.

They are a great source in helping you understand the complexities of the landlord and tenant relationship.

Whatever option you decide to take, have the facts, be prepared to listen and be prepared to compromise.

Communication is always the key to a successful landlord and tenant relationship.

– by Paul Edwards, the Real Estate Institute of South Australia’s legislation and industry adviser