In our small self managed block we have recently seen both sides. The newest absentee landlord is not really bad, just can’t be bothered and leaves everything up to her managing agent. Rarely bothers to reply to me as Secretary. Tenants, two lawyers, have a problem and agent ignores them. Tells them the particular matter has been referred to ”The Strata” – whoever that is. I hear nothing from them – agent has lied. Tenants then start sending me test messages re a couple of problems to which I respond in order to attempt to be helpful. Contact owner who gets annoyed ”that is a matter for the agent”. More text messages arrive from tenants. I contact Managing Agent who opines ”but you are not a proper Strata are you”. ….”What do you mean?”, I ask.
”Well” says lady agent who has some lengthy grandiose title, maybe Senior Property Manager for the Universe, ”you’re not managed by Jamesons or anyone are you”………Oh dear!!!
Next issue, 6 months previously a decision was made to repair the garage driveway. Contractor gives 2 weeks notice, work will take 4 days and no access available to garage, including mine. Advice is immediately passed onto all residents. No comment from anyone. 2 days before work commences everyone is advised of actual start date and lawyer tenants go feral. I receive 4 text messages one day, Agent rings up on behalf of tenant, ”reminding me” of difficulty tenants now have!! Tenants are very angry. Agent phones every day. Tenants really angry! Tenants want compensation from owner as too difficult to park in street for 4 days as she has to take kids to school and go to gym. Tenants who were cool to everyone previously are now positively hostile and are threatening to sue owner for compensation for lack of access to garage for 4 days. ”Our lease provided access to garage and now we are denied that right”
Wealthy lawyer tenants have now fortunately moved out and as a parting gesture filled the recycling bin up with used nappies and kitchen waste.