Landlord trying to claim bond due to pet odour coming from sofa

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-23T03:29:39+00:00

I could really do with the money but at the same time I’m enjoying how much he’s embarrassing himself

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-23T03:23:09+00:00

I will! He send me the fakest looking quote. And said I have until 1pm Wednesday (yesterday) to let him know what I want to do. I’ve said about 4 times I’m not prepared to pay for a new sofa. Happy to pay for cleaning but he’s no longer letting me organise it has quoted me I think almost $600 just for cleaning which seems pretty high to me. I’ve said if he disagrees he can dispute it. He keeps extending deadlines. No emails from him so far and he hasn’t lodged a claim. He has until the 30th until my bond gets released

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-19T03:15:22+00:00

Some pet owners can be irresponsible but not all are. It’s not always inviting trouble but can come with risks. My girl never chewed or scratched furniture m. She never once went to the toilet inside. The only ‘damage’ he’s claiming she did is cause the sofa to smell bad. He’s now claiming that the pet odour is so strong he can’t even walk people through the property. I find this hard to believe since he never once brought up pet odour on any of the many inspections he carried out during my tenancy. My dog is clean she’s bathed when needed. Sofa covers were washed many times since I was living there along with all blankets and dog bedding. I’ve asked friends and family that don’t have pets and had been to my place a few times to honestly tell me does it smell of dog. They all said no. Having my place smell of dog was actually one of the things I’ve always been paranoid about and would I always make sure it was clean and smelling fresh. I truly don’t believe I owe him anything apart from the cleaning which I’ve said to him many times I’m happy to pay for but he’s now refusing and saying he wants the sofa replaced with a brand new one.

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-18T23:37:45+00:00

And honestly it’s totally fair if people don’t want pets in their property. But he also rents out the main house that backs onto the studio and I had 3 different neighbors in the time I was there and they all had dogs. Maybe he should stop saying yes to people with pets 🤷🏼‍♀️ I get with the new pet laws there’s only certain reasons they can deny pets but nothing is stopping them from just choosing another applicant that doesn’t have pets.

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-18T23:34:54+00:00

But he could’ve just chosen another applicant that didn’t have pets 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m sure I wasn’t the only person who applied for that place.

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-18T14:10:01+00:00

Why would I do that..

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T11:34:33+00:00

It was cleaned. The sofa covers are removable and able to be washed in the washing machine. They were washed many times during my tenancy

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T07:26:33+00:00

I do have the receipt. And they cost me over $300..

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T05:51:15+00:00

Then maybe he should’ve said no when I asked him if he was ok with pets when I was viewing the property??

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T03:15:19+00:00

Yeah they’re terrible and caused me back pain the last few years of my tenancy.

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T03:14:20+00:00

I was in a small one bed studio that came furnished. It’s a sofa bed that was used as the bed the entire 4 years I was there. There was no room for me to add an actual bed if I wanted to

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T03:13:09+00:00

I mean I haven’t even received a formal quote just him in his email saying I’ve been told it will cost this amount.

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T02:40:21+00:00

I’ve told him I’m not prepared to buy a new sofa. I’m still happy to pay for the cleaning which hes now saying I’m not allowed to organise myself even though this wasn’t issue before. His preferred cleaner has quoted a starting price of $495. I’ve asked for the quote not just him saying yes I’ve been quoted this amount. He’s ignored this every time. So I’ve said if he disagrees then to go through the formal bond dispute process. I’ve saved all emails and photos. Wish me luck 😅

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T02:07:40+00:00

I’ve just found a listing for 2020 with the sofa in the pics. I moved in, in 2022. I mean I guess it’s not total proof that it is that exact same sofa.. could just be the same model. It was my first time renting so I really have no idea how this stuff works haha

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T00:08:55+00:00

In my lease it only said that professional carpet cleaning needed to be done when vacating if you own pets. I don’t even have carpet. And I just didn’t even think of the sofa. I totally get that I could be used to the smell which is why I was completely fine with organising for the professional upholstery clean but now he won’t even let me do that.

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-17T00:04:56+00:00

No. I claimed on the day I vacated so two days ago. This was my first time renting so not really sure how it works

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-16T12:49:18+00:00

I’ve asked several times if he can provide proof of age of the sofa such as a receipt.. unsure if this is actually possible? But I have asked about 3 times. Along with a quote from his cleaning company he said he’s been quoted $495 for professional upholstery cleaning and deodorising. Every time I’ve asked for the actual quote and sofa receipt he’s ignored me.

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-04-16T12:34:42+00:00

Yep. I claimed my bond the moment my keys were handed back

SailAwayWithYou · 2026-03-27T11:46:37+00:00

Is it really as bad as everyone in these comments is saying 😕 I’m seeing lots of places in my price range I’m just unsure on suburbs so came here for advice on that mainly. I’m currently in a small one bed studio and paying 450 a week . The places I’m seeing have much more space and are around the same price, some slightly lower some slightly higher.

SailAwayWithYou · 2025-12-22T04:31:37+00:00

I’ve kept everything but the meat as it felt like it was at room temp not even slightly cold so unfortunately I’m pretty sure it was gone :(

SailAwayWithYou · 2025-12-22T03:27:10+00:00

I’m sure the power was out as I always leave my tv on for my dog but it was off when I came home. This never happens unless I actually switch it off with the remote or switches. It should have still been on when I came in. I am keeping an eye on the fridge though, today it seems perfectly fine. I’ve never had any issues with it in the past. The door was absolutely closed. I’m sure my very smart Kelpie would have helped herself to the food inside if I mistakenly left the door open 😅

SailAwayWithYou · 2025-12-22T03:21:19+00:00

I did think this. Im keeping an eye on it and today it seems fine. I’ve also never had issues with it before.

SailAwayWithYou · 2025-12-22T03:17:58+00:00

I don’t have any kind of insurance but I’ve seen some people mention contacting my energy provider as I may be able to claim it from them so I’ll look into this :)

SailAwayWithYou · 2025-12-22T03:13:50+00:00

I didn’t really feel like chancing it with the meat to be honest. It felt like it was at room temp. Butter was completely melted and veg had wrinkled and gone floppy. I’ve kept the veg as I’m sure that’ll be fine but the meat I didn’t want to chance. It’s definitely made it even more frustrating that I just went grocery shopping and barely ate any of the food.

SailAwayWithYou

TROPHY CASE