Connect Australia Realty

Be warned. Based on my experience, I would have serious concerns about whether this agent acts in the best interests of the landlord. Dimas acted as my managing agent. When the tenant advised that they wished to vacate the property due to alleged mould, Dimas did not advise me that I may have been entitled to a break fee. I subsequently discovered that he had assisted the same tenant in leasing another property. In my view, this created a serious conflict of interest and raises significant concerns as to why my entitlement to a break fee was never brought to my attention. Because Dimas was acting as my appointed managing agent, I was ultimately bound by the representations and actions he made on my behalf. As a consequence, I was unable to recover the break fee from the tenant. There were further concerns regarding the handling of the end of the tenancy. Before I became aware of the apparent conflict of interest, Dimas discouraged me from pursuing deductions from the tenant’s bond for damage to the property. Dimas also failed to conduct an outgoing condition inspection promptly after the tenant vacated. I had to repeatedly press him to carry out the inspection, and it was eventually conducted 10 days after the tenant had vacated. This delay was particularly concerning given the importance of documenting the condition of the property at the end of a tenancy and assessing any potential bond claims. Furthermore, after the tenant had already vacated, a building inspection indicated that the mould was not caused by water ingress or leaks as the tenant had alleged. The matter subsequently proceeded to the Tribunal. During conciliation, I raised the circumstances surrounding the break fee and the managing agent’s handling of the tenancy. The Tribunal Member advised me to raise the conduct of the managing agent with NSW Fair Trading. I am extremely disappointed with the way this tenancy was managed. In particular, I am concerned that my rights and financial interests as the landlord were not properly explained or protected, while the departing tenant was assisted in securing alternative accommodation. Taken together, the failure to advise me about the break fee, the apparent conflict of interest, the discouragement from pursuing the bond, and the delayed outgoing inspection have left me with serious concerns about how my interests as the landlord were represented.

Erin LeeGoogle

We were renting from Dimas for a 2 bedder in Wolli Creek. During the tenancy, everything was very good and swiftly replied to. Granted, the property did not need any big repairs. For context, the carpet had a couple of discoloration spots all around when we first moved in and was even noted in the incoming inspection. However at the end of the tenancy, it's where things started to get messy. Shame because we always pay 4 weeks in advance rent and are good tenants but this is what we are rewarded with. They withheld my bond due to new carpet stains and wanted $330 to fix the carpet and they escalated it all the way up to NCAT. I did have photos and evidence to prove that the discoloration spots have occurred before we moved in to avoid going to NCAT. Thus, I am very surprised that the landlord is willing to pay for the NCAT application fee + the time of Dimas to prepare for the hearing for a measly sum of $330. Anyway, NCAT threw out the decision less than 10 mins citing that those orange spots had already occurred and it's strange for a carpet to develop orange spots. The common denominator may not be the tenant's fault but rather, the quality of the carpet itself. Besides, the carpet is already fully depreciated to the ATO's schedule so I don't see what are you actually claiming against. In conclusion, the real losers out of this situation is the landlord and the tenant. The landlord wasted so much money and as for me, it wasted my time and opportunity cost to re-invest that bond money held.

Edward ChayGoogle

We purchased our apartment through Dimas and Connect Realty and had his team manage the property for just over a year. We then moved into the propert and Dimas was extremely helpful with the changeover and attention to detail when performing the outgoing inspection. Would highly recommend Dimas and his team.

Luke DoffGoogle