Not sure where to go for help – have tried called the builders number listed on the scaffolding but no response. They destroyed part of our adjoining fence – leaving my rental exposed to the street and my dogs now can’t access the backyard unsupervised. On top of that their dodgy fence scaffolding fell over and smashed my car on the street, leaving a broken light. Who do I go to since I’m getting no response from the builder and the real estate landlord says it’s out of their hands?
Posted by LittleRedBek
12 Comments
call council. Should send some construction enforcement officers down
Call the council that issued the building permit.
Report to council with images of front fence on public footpath also. They’ll likely cop a call from council (or land owner will) requesting action be taken, at least in regard to footpath and then you can hopefully see builder at the property to discuss your fencing issue.
I sincerely wish you luck, I once had a “temporary fence” for 2 years and when the tradies next door finally put a new fence in they thought it was completely fine to destroy my gate and cobble my concrete.
Only reason things ever got fixed was cause I’m renting and told the landlord that the premium I’m paying wasn’t worth this. Don’t know how homeowners would deal with this
For the damage to your car document it all and contact your insurance. Make them chase the builders.
Snap Send Solve might be helpful?
Lol “out of their hands”. The rent you pay covers the amenity of the backyard. Fixing the fence is absolutely not your responsibility. It’s the owners responsibility to fix and their prerogative to chase up getting their costs reimbursed on their time
This is still your landlords issue as well, they have the responsibility to get the backyard secured so you have quiet enjoyment of the premises and a secure property as per the terms of your lease.
Call the tenants line for advice but if the landlord is currently saying not their problem, you will likely be told to issue a breach notice if they don’t work to get it fixed.
https://tenantsvic.org.au/eligibility/
https://tenantsvic.org.au/explore-topics/issues-with-your-landlord/breach-landlord/
While it’s not the landlords fault the fence was damaged, they are the ones charging rent and need to sort it out – can’t palm it off to you.
Keep records of any maintenance request you have submitted, try to keep it to email rather than call so you have written records in case they need to be held to account.
It’s absolutely “in the hands” of the landlord. You rent, they’re responsible for maintenance and in this case — contacting the builder to sort this mess out.
Call the council and honestly — probably VCAT if you can’t get traction with the real estate person
Nothing will ever happen. Cannot upset a builder. They can do no wrong. Happened to me, enjoy the construction noise and triple J blasting at you.
Council Building Control/ Town Planning Department?
Similar issue happened to me last year (not to the same degree, just a dent in the boundary fence between next door and my house). Not much you can do, the builders will openly laugh in your face if you approach them about it.