The real estate agents at the last place that I worked were pretty fucked.
There was a (forked trunk) pine tree in the back yard. We had a wind-storm, and when I went out in the morning, I could hear it squeaking...it had split down the middle, and in the breeze, the split opened up 20mm or so.
Went to the real estate agent and told them that it needed fixing, as if it split, half could land on the house, or the other half could hit someone on the footpath.
They spoke to the landlord (allegedly), and were going to do something about it (allegedly).
a month later, and we got back from Canberra very late, to find that the SES had very nicely cut up the half a tree lying across the road (having crushed the fence), and left a note suggesting that the remainder might be hazardous to the house.
a month later that was removed.
next year, we had another wind-storm, and the oak tree in the back yard split, and the part overhanging the neighbour's house was following some elliptical orbit, having broken mostly away from the trunk.
Same story, told them, they (allegedly) spoke to the owners.
A week later, I grabbed the neighbour, suggesting he could do better...he did.
Next day the agent advise that they had recieved three quotes, and it would be removed in days. I asked what they quotes were. $250, $890, $980.
I aksed which the owner took "Oh the cheapest of course".
I suggested that seeing as it was over someone elses roof, they might like to check certificates and insurance first.
They did, and then took the second place bloke.
A house that some friends and I rented in Bexley was advertised as having wood heating, had a half stocked wood pile out the back which the lease said that we had to leave half stocked.
Went to light it, and found dead chicks in it (nest in the roof). We asked for a chimney sweep before winter to remove the fire risk, and were advised that the heater was "ornamental only".
Did a bit more safety inspecting, and found copper wire in the fuses, the BBQ lights were powered by extension lead cord, run across the ground (grown over by grass). It was then that we realised that there was power point in the shower cubicle (bloddy obvious, but so insane that it escaped attention.)
These idjuts are supposed to be the experts, advising the owners what's best while also protecting the safety of the tenants.
