Is it just us?

[katiefoolery]

I made a playlist of music to have going in the background for the inspection at our house today.  There could be something wrong with me.

But that brings me to a point: are we the only country in the world where real estate agents inspect rental properties?  Or are we just the only ones that completely trash our rentals whilst letting out the other half to fifty illegal immigrants, thus requiring someone to check on us like little children?  I’ve mentioned my inspection to two people in other countries recently and their reactions were identical.  “Inspection?  Huh?”

Why us?  Why me??  I am half-inflined to mention this fact to the real estate agent when she arrives (most likely about an hour after the stated time).

And because I’m curious about it, here’s a poll:

[Poll #951261]

Comments

[drscruffy.livejournal.com]

Rental inspections always make me feel like my parents have come to check that I'm doing my homework... My first little house was never inspected - not once during 3 years. It was nice, because I actually felt like the place was my home... Constant rental inspections are little reminders that it's not *really* your home - you're just borrowing it...

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? You're just going along nicely, enjoying your little home... and then suddenly you're reminded that it's not yours at all and you're just kidding yourself. And even though we look after the place pretty well, we still feel all guilty that someone thinks they have to come around and check up on us.

[gravityslave.livejournal.com]

The Australian government is sort of internationally notorious for being extraordinarily paternalistic, so I have to admit I'm only slightly surprised. It'd make me buy a house that much sooner if that sort of thing happened here, I can assure you.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Does it really?

*is intrigued by this*

It's just so frustrating the way the system assumes that all landlords are saintly and wonderful and all tenants are scum.

[funaga.livejournal.com]

I am also intrigued and wish to question, "Does it really?"

Here we all were, thinking we were so laid back and all.

[gravityslave.livejournal.com]

Predominantly a reputation for treating the Aborigines like children who can't take care of themselves, but it would appear it goes a bit further than that, I'd say. (I had never heard of this before now.)
To be honest, I would find it demeaning and appalling to be subjected to inspections. Here I may just be a renter, but I am a renter who is permitted to feel that my home is my home for however long I should live here.
And anyway, if landlords are concerned they need only to charge a security deposit upon intent-to-rent signing.

Of course, I am huge on privacy, so maybe I have a stronger reaction to this than other people would. :-)

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm not sure the inspections are a government thing so much as a real estate agent thing. And don't worry - we do pay a bond when we sign our leases. So they have that security and they still feel the need to check up on us.

You'd love the bit where the agents are allowed to enter the house and inspect it even if we're not there.

[gravityslave.livejournal.com]

Well, they can do that here - with notice - but for repairs rather than for inspection. They've had to come in to my apartment for plumbing stuff/pest control/whatever three times altogether in the four years I've lived here, but I was here every time and it never felt invasive.
If you have to pay a bond when you sign leases there is simply no good reason for inspections. That's terrible.

[funaga.livejournal.com]

Well, we have a bond that you lay down upon signing - four weeks worth of rent, and they normally ask for 2 weeks rent to put you ahead straight off. One week of that bond is usually asked for when you apply.

And don't get me started on the hell you have to go through in order to get that bond back when you move out...

And yes. In my experience (and my mother's, who is a property manager), the tenant is worth shit and so will be treated as such. Every time I have tried to negotiate a better time for an inspection, when I will actually be at home, I've been informed that the agent has a set of keys and they have every right to enter the property when I'm not there.

It may not be my property, but it's full of thousands of dollars worth of MY jewellery and multimedia equipment. Not to mention I have animals running around everywhere and would hate for them to frighten the agent or escape from an open door or gate.

And yes, - Aboriginals ARE treated like children who can't take care of themselves, and it's awful. But there are two sides to every story and it's unfair to say "but..." for either 'party'.

[decryption.livejournal.com]

We've been living here for almost 3 years and the only times we've been inspected is when it's time to renew the lease (which is expected I reckon) - I guess we lucked out with a decent landlord :p

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

I think we have one about every six months. It's usually over in about five minutes but it's so annoying. And of course they pick the most inconvenient times to do it.

[goddesscarlie.livejournal.com]

I'm glad our apartment hasn't had an inspection yet. We've been here for almost a year now. I know people who get inspected every three-six months like clockwork. I didn't even think that in other countries it didn't get done. This sucks.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

That's a nice situation! I hope it continues.

I had no idea either - I just assumed it was a standard sort of thing and now I find the whole concept even more frustrating.

[blackswans.livejournal.com]

It's the most incredibly annoying thing to have to deal with every two or three months!!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Gah, I'd hate it even more if we had them that frequently!

[bethamphetam1ne.livejournal.com]

I don't rent anymore but when I did, I had regular inspections in all my properties.

Once I picked flowers out the back for it!

When I was living in East St Kilda, I spent all day waiting for the dozy cow to show up, then rang her when she hadn't by the specified time and she tried to pretend she had knocked but nobody answered. Moron.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Oh, the excuses! Do they honestly think we believe them? A few months ago, the landlord was supposed to be "bringing someone around" (I still have no idea what for) and this was going to occur on a Friday - my day off. At midday, no less, so I couldn't do any of the things I'd planned. I waited. And waited. And waited. At two o' clock, I rang the agent and asked for an explanation. Well, I left a message - you can never talk to her directly. She rang back eventually and tried to blame the "office girls" for not passing along the message that the landlord had cancelled the appointment, which was pretty low. She just forgot and couldn't admit it.

Mostly, I don't mind renting, except at times like these.

[funaga.livejournal.com]

I'm torn, as I can't really answer yes or no. As you may know from my journal, my mother is my landlady. This means that she is here quite often and so every visit is a sort of unofficial inspection, which means I don't have the 6monthly thing.

I do jokingly tell her she needs to give me 7 days written notice to come for dinner ;)

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Hehe! Well, that would only be fair. And you would have the option to question her right to come to dinner at that particular time on that particular day...

I wouldn't mind having my parents as my landlords - at least they'd trust me to keep the place in good order without having to drop by every six months. But I imagine it would be quite a strange situation, too.

[funaga.livejournal.com]

Mmm, indeed. Everyone else but the three of us seem to think it's the worst idea they've ever heard of and it can do nothing but end badly.

[tryniamerin.livejournal.com]

Egads, sorry to hear that! :hug: Hope it sorts itself out soon!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

It's annoying, but I guess we just have to deal with it until we can stop renting. Eventually. Maybe. One day.