LJ Hooker

Unprofessional, dishonest, incompetent. Failed to follow standard real estate protocols and procedures during our tenancy. Unbeknown to us, this agency rented out a “non liveable” house and failed to acknowledge serious maintenance issues. Due to blocked storm pipes (the agency employed a tradesperson who failed to clear these out properly), the… Read more

ceiling fell in during a storm in one bedroom. See enclosed pictures and video. The Principal of this agency refused to take any responsibility for this, fabricating lies and making unsubstantiated threats to justify avoiding accountability. Upon exit, they claimed all our bond without notification, failing to provide sufficient evidence to justify this even during the RTA conciliation process. Don’t use them.

Worst experience selling LJ Hooker Point Cook – We were inexperienced sellers and chose an agent based solely on reviews and appearance. We put very reasonable price on advertising based on the latest sales in the area. However, once we received low offers, the agent, who also happened to be the agency director, continuously pressured us via emails and text messages to accept these offers,… Read more

claiming our house was worth less. We felt pressured to accept the offer, which we ultimately did. It's worth noting that we paid the agent full commission for the sale as well as for advertising. However, unforeseen circumstances arose, compelling us to cancel the sale, with little real assistance from the agent. The only suggestion provided was to move to a rental property, which was shown to us by a representative from his agency and was in a dirty and poorly maintained condition. To navigate the situation with the buyer, we had to seek legal representation, leading to significant financial strain and emotional distress. Consequently, I left a negative review for the agent. However, I was shocked when he called me, demanding the removal of the review under threat of legal action. I have proof of this conversation. During the conversation, he warned of suing me for slander, claiming he had the buyer on his side. Fearing repercussions, I reluctantly removed the review, a decision I now regret. Further conversations with others revealed that similar tactics were used on them to remove negative feedback, a practice aimed at shielding the business from criticism. Even now, recalling this experience makes my heart race. However, I feel compelled to share it with others to prevent them from falling into the same trap.

LJ Hooker West Lakes – Do not touch LJ Hooker West Lakes with a 10 foot pole. My experience strongly resonates with [Name Removed], [Name Removed], [Name Removed] and [Name Removed]. Some reviews from 4 years ago; seems nothing has changed. My dealings with: [Name Removed], [Name Removed] and a ‘[Name Removed].’ [Name Removed], the leasing agent of this property, was… Read more

the only woman in that office who stopped everything, invited me to sit down and go through my inspection report with me, showing me some sort of understanding and offered me to get a coffee while waiting for [Name Removed]. Unfortunately I only got to speak to her once regarding my rental.

After being handballed from [Name Removed] to [Name Removed] (I got absolutely nothing from [Name Removed], other than ‘I’ll pass it on to the owner, the owner hasn’t responded, I didn’t know that, I haven’t been to the unit” regardless that she is the property manager. When she came by she huffed when I mentioned the need for a door sweep and condescendingly said “did you look at the place?” – I had stated time and time again that yes, I made a decision without proper inspection under stress, however LJ Hooker are responsible for putting up a unit for rent that is utterly unlivable, advertised as “newly renovated and ready to go’), I went in to speak to [Name Removed] again and was refused as “[Name Removed] is the highest you can go” by the admin lady; that’s after she cautiously said to me “you can come back later…?” “What’s it about?” “Compensation and I’m looking elsewhere.” Someone in a nearby office: “Yeah they’re refunding her…” (As of Feb 2, I have not been refunded yet.)

In the end what I got from [Name Removed] was this: “So the plumbing is really old, but it’s actually up to code for the time. (Note, an illegal flexi pipe under the sink which was ‘not up to code’ as per the plumber, hot and cold taps the wrong way around, a toilet part that was covered in silicone of which water burst through which they will not replace, [Name Removed]’s words: “As long as it flushes your dirt and crap”. “Up to code for the time”; what 500BC when the romans discovered plumbing?) 8 Cockroaches isn’t a lot and no you are not entitled to any compensation.” - after being asked by [Name Removed] for a compensation offer (reduced rent) which she ‘sent to the owners.’ At this point all I want to do is pay my rent, regardless of the conditions as I have never been late. [Name Removed] then said to me on the phone when I told her that I would be terminating the lease, in a laughing tone, “yes that’s your right, I’m not holding a gun to your head.” The denial for compensation was what pushed me to end the lease, but this comment absolutely took the cake and I cannot believe that was something she said to me after everything that I’ve been through with this unit. Absolutely no words.

After [Name Removed] calling me “Eva” which is not my name, and typing her emails as though she’s recording a phone call transcript with zero punctuation and a bunch errors, I respond with the following:

For records, my name is Ava, not Eva.

I will be terminating my lease at ******** due to the following:

• unit not at all as advertised. 'freshly renovated and ready to go' • no water in bathroom. bathroom was unusable • kitchen sink was unusable, was not able to cook/clean • had to sleep in car following unlogged drains as the unit smelt like acid. the kitchen drains are clogged again as of yesterday Feb 1st • had to shower at a friends throughout first week • plumbing that was advised by 3 separate plumbers would need to be gutted and redone. No room for massive water tank to be put outside the bathroom wall as the only appropriate location for it would be where the power switch room is. 'common land'. "So, you're saying that they will gut the wall for the unit to be put outside?" "No that is not what I'm saying". This is the only way for the unit to be put on 'common land', and I don't imagine the owners are going to tear the paint job apart, especially when they have put a unit on the market that had no functioning bathroom, in the first instance. Was told by plumbers that the owners want to flatten the block. • insufficient security (windows open from the outside) • infestation '8 cockroaches, not a lot, it's not.' • inconsistent information passed from [Name Removed] to [Name Removed]. I was asked to make an offer for compensation, I am then called by a [Name Removed] who advises me that no, I am not entitled to compensation. This in itself is unprofessional and disrespectful • lack of care taken on the dates of my inspection report. I did not move in on January 24. • Zero understanding and professionalism on behalf of LJ hooker and [Name Removed]. [Name Removed] has not forwarded any of my correspondence regarding important information i.e inspection report to [Name Removed] prior to contacting me. On a Saturday afternoon. • When I told you that I would be terminating the lease, you told me, 'that is your right, I'm not holding a gun to your head.' • When I asked you if you understood how unprofessional it was to be asked for an offer for compensation, to then be told 'no sorry', you responded, "no. I don't" • "[Name Removed] is the property manager, but has not forwarded you any of the information, and has told me both when I came in to the office, and when she came by to the unit, "I didn't know, I haven't seen it. And she is the property manager?" "Yes..." • Following expressing my disappointment: "Yes, as you have told me again and again." I was advised by the tribunal to have the 'property manager' fill out a section 68 form which concerns landlord obligations. I assumed this is related to what was looked at yesterday. "No it wasn't." I was then advised that following this, I would be able to request for compensation for the above inconveniences. I have tried to follow the reasonable avenues to address this, however you have gone out of your way to be the opposite of accommodating or professional. As I have said before, this is my first experience with LJ Hooker which is beyond disappointing as I was under the impression that LJ Hooker was reputable. Once again, I believe that the state of the unit regarding the plumbing especially is a big indicator of the standards on LJ Hooker and the maintenance, or lack there-of, and it is evident that tenant satisfaction is at the bottom of the priority list; this relationship has not at all been close to satisfactory.

She then responds, addressing me as Eva once again, not acknowledging a single point I have made, accepting the break of lease; unsurprising as on the phone I said:

“The fact that I have tried to do the right thing and you’re denying my request for compensation after everything I’ve just told you, is anything but closure” (good to know she won’t put a gun to my head, though?)

[Name Removed] responds: “Yes, I’ll take that on board.”

In short, I have zero words left to give. Do not, ever under any circumstances, rent with LJ Hooker West Lakes. With the exception of [Name Removed] who was more than professional and understanding; they’re all a bunch of fake, unprofessional vipers who do nothing but overwork the printer and huff and puff when they’re forced to do anything that doesn’t involve printing out a lease. Bets are open if they can get the dates right.

Don’t bother responding with the usual, ‘tenant safety and satisfaction is our number one priority’ because it is so very clearly, not. In fact, don’t bother responding at all.

And a disclaimer: Yes, I was a tenant of yours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qXXUKXuq2c&ab_channel=SusanTamits

Do not rely on LJ Hooker Padstow for your rental or property lease or buy. They are currently under legal investigations and a Fair Trading matter for placing a tenant knowingly in hospital care under negligence for Mycotoxin Poisoning. The Real Estate Property Agent is Shannon Edwards. She needs her licence revoked. She is taking commissions and… Read more

leasing moldy homes and jeopardising tenants health. She has admitted all her rentals are full of mold and is continually taken to the tribunal by tenants for such matters. She is breaching her duty of care and her responsibilities as an Agent.

Shannon Edwards was witnessed verbally intimidating, abusing and swearing at the chronically ill tenant who went to hospital for her negligence for mold poisoning and she tried covering it up and she is in rehab fighting for her life.

The whole family is sick of mold poisoning and lost all their brand new belongings and savings for this woman and she did nothing about it. All their contents was tested by a Mold Hygienist and the Report sent to her and LJ Hooker Padstow, indicated a positive result of contamination from their rental onto their new property and her vehicle with 8 strains of dangerous mold. The victim cannot enter her new rental or vehicle which is now contaminated and under remediation.

Shannon Edwards and her team at LJ Hooker Padstow are taking rent and commissions and placing peoples health at risk in moldy homes, with evidence of severe mold infestation growth being covered up and painted over. They owe the victim an excess of $20,000 in replacement, remediation costs and living costs and are ignoring the family. They live in a hotel.

Tenants in the area and neighbours have complained this woman has been breeching her duty of care for years and lying to tenants for years. This particular home has been leased 3 times in one year making people sick and they did nothing to remediate it and now it is costing someone their life and disability savings. She lied to the tenant advising that it was leased for 10 years and was old and musty.

Shannon Edward’s has been reported to the Union and lack of responsibility by LJ Hooker Padstow and their negligence and to the Police. She has an Intimidation order against her.

Shameful and the community are concerned what this woman and the team at LJ Hooker Padstow are doing to tenants.

We hope she makes a good recovery and that justice is served.

extremely happy – Kiana and Amy at LJ Hooker are an exceptional team! Kiana is professional, knowledgeable, and truly cares about her clients, while Amy is welcoming, organized, and always ready to assist. Together, they make the rental process seamless and stress-free. Highly recommend their outstanding service! Show details

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS AGENT!! – Last year I rented a property in Sylvania Waters through this agent, at $540 per week for 12 months. This is what I experienced in this tenancy: 1. A Senior Property Manager (no longer with the company) has interviewed me before the commencement. I… Read more

confirmed that I was a pensioner and would be living in the property by myself as I needed a quiet environment for my computer work. I informed her that I would be supplementing my income from my super

2. The property presented well but after moving in, I found a few problems that I documented in the Condition Report. Soon, more things started to go wrong, requiring repair that encroached on my time and enjoyment of the rented property

3. Everything else went reasonably well until 5 months into the lease. A notice appeared on the hallway wall from a company, advising fire alarms were to be installed throughout the building, causing drilling noise for ca 6 weeks. Contrary to the claims of that company, neither I nor the Senior Property Manager received prior notice of this

4. The works started promptly and the drilling was so noisy that it significantly interfered not only with my enjoyment of the premises but also my work. NOT for 6 weeks but for almost 3 months, right up until 15.12.23. When I requested rent reduction from the Senior Property Manager, I was told there wasn’t much of a chance of it

5. Just before Christmas, when I had sickly visitors from interstate, the owner above me decided to renovate her property. I haven’t commented on the noise while she was tinkering there before and after Christmas. Or also on her yapping dog and her daily dog urine balcony washes that frequently washed people under the balconies and my balcony. She advised me on 29.12. that she was renovating her property. I asked her to be mindful of my sickly visitors. All hell broke loose the next morning when the neighbour’s floor got jackhammered. She refused to open the door the first time I went to question her about the renovations. She did open it at my second attempt during which she smilingly informed me she had the right to do these works. Since one of my visitors was extremely disturbed by this jackhammering, I called the police

6. I informed the Senior Property Manager of these latest incidents in an email on 5.1.24 and included recordings of the fire alarm drillings and this jackhammering. Again requesting a rent reduction. Since she was on leave, somebody else from the agency contacted me and advised nobody could resolve this matter and I’d have to wait for her return

7. While I did, the problems in my rented property continued. A plumber replaced the tap in the kitchen sink, removed old muck from the bathroom sink that prevented the water from flowing out and determined that the shower was leaking. I reported this to the Senior Property Manager, along with a loose window in the bedroom. A former member of the body corporate secured the loose window with pegs and advised that the wheels and tracks were very worn out. As was the beading in all property windows and the responsibility of the body corporate to fix

8. While I waited for the Senior Property Manager to rectify all these problems, I found out that the fire alarm works hadn’t been finished and would continue as soon as more funds were raised. And that the body corporate was planning more major works for the new year as well. The property became a noisy nightmare with more dogs and kids moving in. Having also found out that my landlady had formed a habit of putting up her place for sale at the end of each lease and did so with me too, I decided not to renew the lease but to move elsewhere

Since I hadn’t heard from the Senior Property Manager about any of my issues, I contacted a tenancy advisory organisation and found out that:

1. The landlady and Senior Property Manager failed to notify me of legally required upcoming major works, before signing the lease. All owners knew about these works. All voted for them and prior to my signing the lease, paid extra levies for them

2. The Senior Property Manager failed to notify me of the landlady’s habit of listing her unit for sale every year and/or giving tenants notice to vacate the property, before signing the lease

3. The Senior Property Manager failed to rectify repairs in the property prior to my moving in. As required by the lease agreement. As well as urgent repairs reported to her in January 24

4. Since there was no communication with the Senior Property Manager, the tenancy advisory organisation advised me to lodge a complaint with NCAT before vacating the property. I did this. In the first hearing, both parties were encouraged to agree to a settlement. The landlady offered me a sum for what I put up with in her premises for 3 months before Christmas. I chose NOT to accept it and to proceed to a second hearing

5. The Presiding Member at this hearing didn’t comment on the legally required repairs to be carried out by the agency prior to my moving into the property. I spent 3 hours of my precious time with the electrician who not only replaced old light bulbs but also installed a new electricity box I wasn’t informed about. The built-in alarm went off next, due to known faulty batteries. Soon after, the regular alarm inspection followed. Plumbing repairs came next and the Senior Property Manager was informed about the next ones

6. The Presiding Member at the second hearing had this to say about the landlady’s failure to inform me about the major works: ‘The landlord does not dispute that she was aware of the works scheduled to be carried out on the common property. However, the landlord was not aware of the extent of the works and the impact that they would have on the tenant.’ The landlady actually insisted in writing via the Senior Property Manager that she wasn’t aware of the upcoming major works. The works included extensive drilling that interfered with other people’s work from home too

7. The Presiding Member at the second hearing stated that the ‘Tribunal is not satisfied that the landlord has breached s 63 of the Residential Tenancies Act. The tenant wrote to the landlord on 23 January 2024 in relation to the main bedroom window. It appears from the email correspondence that a strong wind almost blew off the main bedroom window. The tenant suggested that the landlord request the owners corporation to have a look at the tracking of the windows. The Tribunal is not satisfied that the landlord has failed to maintain and repair the windows. There is little evidence apart from the tenant’s opinion that the tracks and beading are original and very worn out that there is any defect that needed the attention of the landlord.’ The Presiding Member hasn’t read the submitted evidence and/or viewed the submitted photos of the worn out tracking and beading. The state of the windows was commented on by a former member of the body corporate who also confirmed no work had been done on the windows since the building was built. 40 years ago

8. The Presiding Member at the second hearing commented on the lateness of my NCAT application ‘The tenant gave evidence that the reason for the delay is that she was negotiating with the landlord. The tenant has not provided any evidence of ongoing emails from the time that the noise ceased in December 2023 and April 2024 to support the tenant's statement. The Tribunal is not satisfied that the tenant has provided a reasonable explanation for the delay. The Tribunal finds that the delay is significant. The landlord has argued that there is a prejudice to the landlord in extending time. The landlord is a single mother and is suffering financial hardship. The Tribunal finds that the lack of reasonable explanation by the tenant for the delay, the significant period of delay and the prejudice to the landlord weigh against the extension of time. However, the Tribunal is satisfied that the tenant has more than an arguable case and strong merit to her claim and the Tribunal extends the time for the making of the application to 9 May 2024.’ I provided lots of recorded videos of the drilling by the fire alarms company and the neighbour’s renovations. Up to 30.12.23

9. The Presiding Member at the second hearing stated that ’The tenant has not provided any evidence of ongoing emails from the time that the noise ceased in December 2023 and April 2024 to support the tenant's statement.’ I did remind the Presiding Member that I provided emails between January and April 24 and wasn’t able to provide any evidence of further ongoing emails from the Senior Property Manager because I hadn’t received any. Apparently ‘she waited for a follow up call from me because that’s how I always communicated with her.’ Not true! The landlady also regularly accepted almost my entire pension every fortnight during my tenancy. She is employed and has recently sold her property. The Presiding Member chose to ignore MY financial hardship claims as a pensioner when she chose to award me ONE WEEK’S compensation for DOCUMENTED AND SUBMITTED PROOF OF THREE MONTHS of daily drilling

10. The Presiding Member at the second hearing chose to award me $720 rent reduction for a four week period, believing the testimony of the body corporate about the scope of the drilling and ignoring my DOCUMENTED, DATED, TIMED and SUBMITTED RECORDINGS of the fire alarms work up until 15.12.23 and of the neighbour’s renovations up until 30.12.23. Stating that the ‘Tribunal finds that the noise and disturbance commenced on 6 October 2024 until 7 November 2023. The tenant has not kept a noise diary and the Tribunal is not satisfied that any ongoing works after 7 November 2023 resulted in a reduction or withdrawal of facilities. The tenant’s weekly rent was $540.00. The Tribunal has calculated that in a 24 hour period the tenant had a reduction or withdrawal of facilities of 8 hours over a 4 week period. The Tribunal determines that the weekly rental reduction should be $180.00 per week for the four week period that there was a reduction or withdrawal of amenity. The Tribunal awards to the tenant $720.00. The Tribunal dismisses the tenant’s claim for compensation in relation to her complaint about the upstairs neighbour. The tenant advised the landlord on 5 January 2024 regarding works that the upstairs neighbour was carrying out on the property in December 2023 and the noise from her dog. The landlord acted with reasonable diligence in notifying the strata manager of the issue. It appears that by the time that the tenant advised the landlord of the issue the noise disturbance has ceased.'

Note the reasoning of dismissing my claim for compensation for the neighbour's renovations that had to be resolved by the police. Because the main noise happened on a Saturday and during the Senior Property Agent's holidays. Somebody else, NOT the landlady, notified strata of these incidents. Nobody in the office was able to resolve this matter even after I reported it, let alone on a Saturday during summer holidays. I claimed compensation for the noise I should have been informed about through the body corporate. Which only ceased through the police intervention. That adversely affected me and my interstate visitors. That I provided recorded videos evidence of which was ignored by the agent and NCAT

11. Following my application to NCAT, the Senior Property Manager was extra picky at the final property inspection. I spent a full Mother’s Day weekend cleaning the property because I couldn’t afford to pay a professional cleaner. I took 160 photos of the cleaning process. I have never cleaned a property like this before, since it was made clear to me that this agency had high standard of cleanliness and that the previous tenants’ clean wasn’t accepted. I cleaned dirt that was left there by the previous professional cleaners. Nevertheless, the Senior Property Manager found issues with my cleaning due to the old age of the property. Ones that I rectified and filmed in her presence, including cleaning a stove light that didn’t even work when I moved in and which was her responsibility to fix before my move. When the inspection was over, the Senior Property Manager welcomed to the property the fire alarm workers that she organised to install more fire alarms. They drilled the ceilings in the two bedrooms that she insisted I steam clean the carpets in. They were still wet when the work was being done. I paid $160 for the carpet clean

12. The Senior Property Manager chose NOT to release my bond in a timely manner. Knowing I’m a pensioner and was moving to another property. She released it 2 weeks after my request

In my 40 odd years of renting properties, I have NEVER been treated by an agent in this manner.

Because of this treatment by this agency that caused this to be the WORST TENANCY EVER for me, I reported this agency’s business practices to the Department of Fair Trading. They have recently contacted me with their findings, after a year long investigation. It became clear from this investigation that the landlady didn't inform the agency about the proposed works and that she lied to the Senior Property Manager about her financial situation.

The Presiding Member at NCAT awarded me less than a 3rd of my claim against the landlady who was ordered to pay me the money by 2.10.24. I have not received it. I found out that following the recent sale of her property, she has gone overseas. I have registered the debt with the local court. Meaning that it will now affect the landlady's credit rating until it's paid to me in full. She has 12 years to do that. And she will then also be required to pay the filing fee for this to the local court and current interest of 10.35% pa to me for every day the debt is outstanding.

I believe I could have saved myself all these problems if I had been informed by the landlady/the Senior Property Manager about the major works. As well as of her habit of listing the property for sale each year. I would have NEVER entered this tenancy because I certainly wasn't interested in it being only for 12 months. The Department of Fair Trading assured me that it liaised with this agent about my complaint and due to the recent changes to tenancy legislation, landlords will now also be more accountable for non disclosure and problems with their properties.

I certainly DIDN'T appreciate the problems with this tenancy and am glad to be out of it.

Absolutely disgusted. I just inspected a studio in Ashfield, the advertised photos look immaculate, spacious and modern. Upon arrival the building was old and falling apart. The studio was nothing like the advertised photos. It was dirty, run down,… Read more

far from modern, filled with spider webs. The walls were filthy, the carpet was disgusting everything about the place was deceiving. They should NOT be allowed to post false and deceiving photos just to attract people. An absolute waste of time!