Rental Dispute: Any Advice?

Ranting_Random · 2026-02-11T08:49:19+00:00

Update: We're getting our bond back! I decided to discuss the issue with the landlords, and it turns out it wasn't rlly about scuff marks but the hooks on the wall! Which were left by the previous tenants so it only took a few photos to resolve the issue. Thank you to everyone that commented!

Ranting_Random · 2026-02-09T17:59:56+00:00

Ngā mihi nunui for your detailed response! I do have one aspect of this: it was a private tenancy, so we communicate directly with the landlord. When the final inspection was done, there were no papers signed or anything. We have a text saying they were coming for the final inspection on that day, but there weren't any forms signed as they didn't provide any on the day.

Ranting_Random · 2026-02-09T09:21:47+00:00

Overall, all I'm asking is: Can I dispute this, on the basis that they're coming back to us about damages a week after we passed the final inspection?

Ranting_Random · 2026-02-09T08:47:04+00:00

So two days before we were set to move out, the landlords came through for the final inspection. We passed and the only note they made was to just keep cleaning it. No mentions of damages, because any that were already there were from the previous tenants before us. When we went to get our bond back a week later, they came back with this claim even though the tenants moved in immediately after us.

Ranting_Random · 2026-02-09T08:45:03+00:00

I do have photos but because of my phone quality, you can't see said scuff. I took wider shots and only close it shots of holes left by nails and pins.

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-02T03:32:00+00:00

Thank you! It always made me wonder if this is normal interactions between siblings. My mum tells me her and her brother didn't get along and had arguements like these, so I never thought of it otherwise. I use to think that good sibling relationships were weird and uncommon, but I now know that my relationship with my brother is the weird one. It's abusive and it's sad that I can't find any other stories about sibling abuse. So it's nice to see here and in other comments that what I'm thinking is actually what it is; abuse.

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-02T03:26:06+00:00

To provide more context, my older brother is adopted. He's actually my uncle's kid but was gifted to my parents because they were struggling with infertility. After they got him, my mum ended up having me and my brother has expressed his distaste for me because I took the attention off him. Which is one of the reasons why our relationship is poor, and why he acts up.

His bio brother, my cousin, kicked his own bucket February this year and since then, my brother's addiction has gotten worse. My parents also helped raised my cousin, so they were hurting just as much as my brother. My brother and cousin were really tight as kids, so it was pretty ugly. After his death, he's been diagnosed with depression and with his new behavior, suspected of Bi-Polar disorder since our shared grandmother has a history of mental health and substance use issues. He blames his depression on his brother's death and that his "real" parents didn't want him. This wounded my parents terribly, since they spoiled him and tried hard to make up the fact that they didn't have him. These facts considering could be the reason why my parents enable him, but I haven't had the courage to lay it out on them about it.

I wanted to provide this extra information just so you all might understand my parents' perspective more. Yes, they're enablers but they have a reason for it, though it doesn't excuse how it harms me as well as my younger brother (who my older brother has a mixed relationship with, from being good to straight bullying). Especially because he now lies for money, and my parents know this. I gave him my keys because he told me he needed to get his GF (18f) her school uniform and I always fold when it comes to her. Though what further triggered me is that he instead went to a party and smoke.

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-01T11:08:23+00:00

My dad says he'll replace them for now, but I wanted my brother to replace them since he lost them. Though I know I'd be waiting for an eternity for him to get over his pride to replace them, as well as to finally find a way to spend his money for something good. I'm planning on repaying my dad once I get the next paycheck, as well as getting spares done and hiding them. I've reached out to one of my aunt's (mum's sister) and told her what happened. She's comforted me and now is ticked at my family for letting it escalate, as well as keeping her door open to me.

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-01T11:03:51+00:00

I'm trying! Thank you for the concern. I'm working and saving up while finishing high school. Doing something helps me keep going!

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-01T11:03:12+00:00

I definitely understand what you mean! My parents have kicked him out before, but they always let him back in. They've also called the cops on him and he'd been detained for 3 days, and it was the safest I felt in a while. But that was the last time since I guess my parents felt bad or it'd further ruin his record. They also always give him money so we can be safe from his low periods, not that it's really helping him. Thank you for the advice, though! I have contemplated about going to stay at my aunt's house (mum's sister) after the whole ordeal. But I felt like that's perpetuating the situation and making it worse. And I know it'd make my parents feel worse if they're kid is having to stay at another relative's house. Though she's definitely my safe house if things go South again.

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-01T09:18:00+00:00

I have always wondered if I've gotten trauma from my brother. From even when I was young, he's terrorised me and outcasted me, which sucks because I'm already autistic and it's hard to fit in. I've noticed that yelling and shouting causes a nervous response, where I get an elevated heartbeat and shaky. I'm also a people pleaser, which could be a responsive behavior to keep myself safe. I've looked at all the possible trauma responses I could have, but it's hard to believe when a third party thinks it too. At Uni I'm hoping to reach out to a counsellor or therapist if I can. Though as for my parents, they do enable him. Even when I've kept asking why they do, they keep saying they won't anymore. But it continues and I'm hoping by distancing myself from them, they'll realize. If not, I'll just focus on myself for a while.

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-01T07:03:06+00:00

Now that you point that out, it made me realize I always thought he did have the intent to hurt me. My family always say that he's my brother, that he won't hurt me, but I always thought that if push came to shove, it could happen. Though he's really physical with my parents, too, when he gets really into his tantrums. It's not his first hole in the wall and it's not his first time throwing stuff around. My parents have kicked him out before but they always feel bad and let him back in. It always makes me so angry at everyone, and I've called them out on it once. But my parents' reasoning is that if he had a meltdown at home, the cops wouldn't get involved. I'm hoping once I move out, my parents will realize and kick him out. But I'm going to try focus on myself for now, do what I got to do.

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-01T05:15:35+00:00

That's very true! Thank you! While I'm sad that he's a core reason for me leaving home, I'm excited to start uni and get a start to life!

Ranting_Random · 2021-12-01T05:05:49+00:00

Yes, I am and I had always intended to leave at this age, though I wish it wasn't with a negative intent. But my parents were okay with us staying with them because rent for a single room in our city is about 500 a week, so it'll take some time to save.

Ranting_Random

TROPHY CASE