A Sydney resident has criticized her landlord after receiving a disappointing email response about flooding in her home.
Mom-of-two Sophie took to TikTok to reveal the extent of the damage to her rental home in Sydney, which was flooded after heavy rainstorms.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sydney tenant criticizes landlord in hilarious video.
Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>
“What rent crisis?” the video starts.
“Add another $50 a week for a new luxury indoor pool,” Sophie jokes.
Shocking footage shows her daughter’s bedroom completely underwater.
However, despite the flooded room, Sophie says she was disappointed with the landlord’s advice.
“You just need a couple of towels to soak it up and you’ll be fine,” the property manager allegedly said, the tenant claimed.
Another video showed Sophie having been texting with an agent since 2019, trying to arrange repairs to leaks and holes in the house.
In an email sent last year, Sophie said that a hole in the freshly painted ceiling was letting rain into the house.
The exhaust fan was also reportedly broken and most of the property was infested with mold, which Sophie says she had to remove herself without the help of a real estate agency.
However, despite the ongoing dispute, Sophie says she wants to stay on the property along with her two children.
“My kids and I have made this house our home and ideally I would like to stay in this house for as long as the landlord is willing to rent it out,” she wrote.
Other TikTok users quickly filled out the comments section of the video to offer Sophie support.
“This last letter shocked me to the point where they had the audacity,” one person said.
“Aren’t they obligated to see to it that the property is safe and livable? It’s definitely neither. Can you contact the rental council? another added
“What a terrible story,” put in a third.
Rules
According to Fair Trading NSW, landlords “are responsible for repairing and maintaining the property so that it is in an acceptable condition, taking into account the age of the property, the amount of rent paid, and the expected life of the property.”
However, the rules are slightly different when it comes to natural disasters.
If the property is damaged by a natural disaster, repairs must be made and the tenant and landlord must come to an agreement as to whether the tenant will remain in the property or not.
After the renovation is completed and if the tenant decides to stay, a new contract must be signed, which may result in an increase in the rent.
If tenants cannot resolve their complaint, they can file a complaint with Fair Trading here.
