OBrien Real Estate - Werribee

I’ll be honest, I have been disappointed. It is my first time as a residential landlord and I felt like the property manager said all the things I wanted to hear to sign on, to then be ignored very often after signing the contract. I would respond to most emails or messages immediately but then would take days to get back to me, which in general would be fine but it was a few weeks before EOFY so getting invoices and payments was time sensitive which was clarified multiple times. I specified before signing the most important thing to me is that I am very busy and I need a property manager I can trust to handle everything for me, including getting the best deal on necessary repairs, and especially handling the tax depreciation report. This was very important to me and I specified this. When it came to towards the end of the month I asked how the tax depreciation report was going, they said they can organise it, then forwarded me a link to fill out with all info they had so I had to ask and say hey it was my understanding you provided this service, and they then took over and filled in the form. I had lots of repairs done over a week before the EOFY, such as major shower and fence repairs, I asked for the invoice so I could pay before EOFY, but it was ignored for a week, with the near $3000 invoice being sent on the 2nd of July, no longer being deductible last year. Another issue, I required professional carpet cleaning due to previous housemates, but O’Brien organised for the professional photographer to come around before the carpet cleaners which I found most peculiar and did point out. Another issue is I put on my documents when signing that I wanted to be the one to sign the lease (which was a question they ask regarding preference), yet they signed it on my behalf, which made me wonder if any of the items I selected would be taken into account, if this was, the next item may have been picked up by me. Another issue is I paid over a thousand dollars for gas and electrical safety checks and standards upgrades (potentially overpaid by a lot but was the EOFY so wanted it paid and resolved ASAP), but on the renter’s signed lease, they ticked “No” to have safety and gas checks been conducted, when they had. When I pointed this out they said it was not an issue as it would be on the condition report. My new tenants have been in the property for 7 days now, and I have yet to be provided the condition report. Overall I would not recommend from a landlord perspective going with Obrien Real Estate Werribee, I went with them as they sold me the house a few years ago and they are lovely people but I think the outlines of my experience demonstrates genuine professional lapses that I would not want to go through again. The stars I do give is because they aren’t a scam or anything, they do provide the service of leasing and management at competitive rates, it is just how I have experienced the delivery that has been an issue. I will give them the year, as the tenant just moved in to see how the experience progresses & will update the review accordingly, hopefully in a much more positive way. As it currently stands I will likely switch when it is the end of term unless there are significant improvements.

Tom McAlisterGoogle

I had a fantastic property manager Kate, who managed to negotiate myself and my daughter out of a difficult situation and helped me greatly! She was professional, respectful and knows her stuff. Communication is clear, helpful and she never leaves me waiting, unlike other managers I’ve had. Thanks Kate.

Christine ChristineGoogle

Lachlan at O’Brien has been our real estate agent for a while now, and I have to say the agency is genuinely lucky to have someone like him. He has been incredibly understanding, patient and caring throughout the whole process. We faced a few challenges from sale through to settlement, and Lachlan did everything he could to follow through and help get things sorted one way or another. I can’t recommend him enough. Thank you mate, really appreciate everything.

Emmal NaimGoogle