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Ferrets ‘wrecked rental property’ completely soiled by animal urine and required total replacement,” they said. “There was other damage to furnishings from cat clawing and what was once an immaculate property was now much less so.” Unsurprisingly, they landlord stated: “I strongly object to giving any more rights to tenant regarding animals.” The Government listed other example such as real estate agents charging exorbitant fees for tenants to access receipts or landlords trying to get out of returning bonds. Geelong MP Christine Couzens said the complaints reaffirmed the importance of the Government’s overhaul.
“It was agreed the animal would live outside in a large cage and not be allowed free range inside the house.” But the tenant broke the deal, the landlord claimed. “Some months later I discovered the tenants were keeping six ferrets, eight cats and two dogs inside the house. “VCAT (Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal) rules prevented me from evicting the tenant when they refused my request to remove the animals.” The landlord had to wait until the lease expired to remove the tenant. “I discovered the entire carpeted surfaces were
By Luke Voogt Ferrets trashing a Geelong rental property was among 131 local tenancy complaints lodged with Consumer Affairs Victoria in 2016, according to new data. State Government shared examples of complaints with the Indy this week as it planned to overhaul the Residential Tenancies Act. In one anonymous complaint a landlord said their tenant’s horde of pets destroyed a previously immaculate property. The complainant, who described themself as an “animal lover”, said they had allowed the tenant to keep a ferret as a pet.
“We need to make sure that we’re striking a fair balance between the rights of landlords and the rights of renters.” The Government was seeking feedback from the public on options including restricting rental increases to once per year and banning “unreasonable” no pet clauses in tenancy agreements. Ms Couzens said that as renter numbers continued to grow it was vital that the community had a say in shaping the new laws. “If they have an experience to share, I’d encourage local renters and landlords to be a part of the conversation.”
Jan Juc man dies in car tree smash
MONKEY BUSINESS: Dhyey Sheh's stunning picture of a monkey in the forest is among numerous striking images featuring in Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016, an international exhibition at Geelong's National Wool Museum from Sunday to 14 May.
A 60-year-old Jan Juc man has died after his car crashed into a tree at Bellbrae. Police believed that he was in a sedan travelling south on Vickerys Rd just after 1.40pm Tuesday before it left the road and struck a tree. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. He died at the scene, police said. Geelong Highway Patrol Sergeant Darren Murphy said police had identified the cause of the Bellbrae crash. Suspicious circumstances were not involved, he said. The death brought Victoria’s road toll to 10, up on eight at the same time in 2016. Two people have already died on local roads this year. On 11 January a 26-year-old Whittington died when his vehicle crashed into a tree beside Bacchus Marsh Road at Anakie. Police suspected fatigue was involved because the man crashed on his way to work about 4am.
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