Home Real Estate Agency - Runaway Bay

Home Real Estate were generally good to deal with during my tenancy. Maintenance was handled promptly, communication was usually clear, and the property was well managed. However, the handling of my bond release was disappointing and unnecessarily stressful. The bond clean was completed to a satisfactory standard and acknowledged by the agency. Despite this, after I lodged my bond refund request with the RTA, I was advised that the bond would not be released until a third-party cleaning invoice was paid. That invoice was not disputed and was being processed through my daughter’s NDIS plan manager. My daughter was also a tenant and named on the lease. The delay occurred because the contractor did not respond to emails requesting an invoice amendment, not due to any issue with the property or any failure on our part. The statement that the bond would only be released once the invoice was paid was misleading and had no proper basis under RTA bond processes. In fact, the bond was released after the statutory period once no dispute was lodged. This caused significant stress and required me to seek advice from QSTARS and the RTA. I am concerned about how such communication could affect more vulnerable tenants, including people with disabilities or those in financial hardship.

Gaye JamesGoogle

Pattern of Neglect, Evasion, and Unprofessional Conduct After nearly 8 years as a tenant at a property managed by Home Real Estate, I feel compelled to share my experience with Principal Romarna Antees and the agency’s ongoing failure to meet even basic standards of property management. Despite treating the home with care and exiting in good faith — backed by professional cleaning and full cooperation with the vacate process — we were met with unsubstantiated claims, procedural delays, and personal attacks. Key concerns: • Long history of issues, including QCAT action: Early in our tenancy, we were forced to challenge Romarna through QCAT after she refused to replace a failed external blind. We were successful — a clear sign that she either did not understand or chose to ignore her obligations as a property manager. • Severe mould and water damage ignored for 6+ months: We lived with worsening mould and water ingress in the garage ceiling. It was reported multiple times and posed a genuine health risk, but no action was taken. (Photos available.) • Garage door failure misrepresented as tenant damage: A bolt came loose from a garage door drum — a mechanical failure due to the door’s age (over 40 years old). I had to repair it myself after repeated inaction so my partner could access her car. Romarna later claimed the door had been damaged by a vehicle — an assertion unsupported by evidence or inspection. • Threats of excessive charges for minor issues: We were told we could be charged $180 to untangle blind cords, despite those blinds being rarely used by adult occupants and never raised as an issue in any of the many inspections conducted across the tenancy. • Unprofessional conduct and personal attacks: When I questioned the validity of these claims, Romarna accused me of “bullying” — a baseless and inappropriate personal attack, instead of addressing the concerns with professionalism. Despite these threats and claims, the agency ultimately allowed the full bond to be released unchallenged. This outcome only reinforces the impression that the earlier accusations were unfounded, and that the drawn-out process caused undue stress without cause or justification. Tenants — especially long-term, responsible ones — deserve far better than this. I cannot recommend Home Real Estate to any prospective tenant or property owner.

Steve GGoogle

Absolutely excellent! We have rented a house through Home Real Estate for 3 years. Throughout every step they have been always friendly, always helpful, always clear and always wonderful!

Darren FooksGoogle