I'm Sahdique - the guy who had issues with moving out! I was wondering when can I come by on Monday to have a chat with you? My apologies if this is very long winded, I just want to fill you in on the details.
TL:DR : Room mates giving me a hard time moving out, wants to hold onto my bond money till weeks after end of August. I intend to move out way before - Never signed any contract or made any agreement on this at all. Dilemma as what to do right now because it's not easy getting a flat under $200 for me within the time period.
So, I feel like my current room mates are taking advantage of me because I'm an international student and I am not familiar with all the laws that apply here. I'm currently living in the Voltz Apartments at Queen Street and am paying $200/ week which I agreed to make payment every 2 weeks on Tuesdays - Wednesdays. I found these guys on TradeMe and in their ad I was told that 2 weeks notice is needed before moving out and I have to put in a bond of 2 weeks - $400.
About a month ago or maybe more than that I was informed that they are moving to Napier to work so I have either the option of moving our or transferring their tenancy to my name and that I have till the end of August to decide. At this point I decided to begin searching for a flat to move to - I sent a message on Facebook saying : "
- 4 July
- 8 July
- 9 July
- 9 July
They talked to me at home and told me that there was no need for me to rush out to move and I was like oh okay.. because I didn't know what to say. Basically at this point I was pretty lost as to what I have to do to move out because they kept pressuring me to stay.
The second room mate spoke to me a couple days later telling me that I HAVE to pay till the 7th of August because it's part of their contract. But I argued that their contract should have nothing to do with me since I am liasing directly with them and not their land lord. I told him that I have to take care of my own interest as well, what would happen to me if I can't find a flat in time? I would be stranded here in Auckland with no home, I don't really know anyone. He simply shrugged his head and asked me to speak to the first room mate - Abhi. I also argued that as long as I gave you 2 weeks notice that should suffice - He said well okay let's start from today: 29th July will be 2 weeks.
So this week what I did was I paid only $200 instead of $400 because I wanted to secure my money just in case I find a flat on TradeMe that I could move out of. I was emailed by the first room mate:
Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 2:58 PM
Hi Shadique,
Just wanted to request you to put the full anount of 2 weeks rent as you have only deposited $200 this week.
I know you have given bond but bond money is only back once the property manager checks the property and is ok with the cleanliness, maintenance etc.
It does take 2 to 3 weeks for bond ti come into my account after leaving the house, which comes from Dept of Building and Housing, New Zealand. And this happens in each case.
So as soon as the bond is returned I will transfer your amount to your account but you do need to pay rent until your last day. As the property manager needs some kind of money in hand till he completes the check.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the same.
Abhishek Ketkar
I started worrying because I don't understand why my bond is with the Dept of Building and Housing when I never signed anything that mentioned me handing my money to them in fact should my money not be with him instead of them? He is the main tenant not me and I'm a student I need my bond to be able to make a deposit for the next house, how do things work exactly?
I replied:
- Today
So now I'm basically stuck and confused and don't know what to do - I just want a new place but it seems that they're making their problem, my problem. I have absolutely nothing to do with the land lord and I'm pretty sure they didn't subject the previous occupant of my room to these unreasonable requirements.
Please help me, I need some advice ><!
Kind Regards
Sahdique Mohamed
ID: 6872002




