Get a couple of mates around one Saturday afternoon with a few angle grinders, arrange a scrap metal place to pick up the metal pieces the next day.

Easy done.

A couple of years ago myself and a few blokes helped knock down a mates double car garage which was in a pretty dodge state. (If we didn’t knock it down, the wind was going to do the job for us) we all arrived about 10 am that morning, cleared the crap out by midday (there was some old junk in there which needed to go to the tip) and by 5 pm we where standing on an empty slab of concrete.

Actually it was a lot of fun to tear it down…

harvyk1 said :

… and by 5 pm we where standing on an empty slab of concrete….

… eyeing a full slab of cold beer, I hope.

Maybe worth contacting the SES to see if they can use it as a training exercise? Breaching, shoring, use of hand tools, etc would be useful practice for them.

EvanJames said :

harvyk1 said :

… and by 5 pm we where standing on an empty slab of concrete….

… eyeing a full slab of cold beer, I hope.

It wasn’t exactly full at that stage anymore…

Don’t do it! If you put money towards it, there’s nothing to compel them to repay you. If money is the issue preventing repair from happening sooner, then that’s even worse.

Even as a non-urgent repair, they MUST make repairs within a reasonable period of time (4-weeks). If not, then you can argue that they are not keeping the premises in a reasonable state of repair. You can then apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) for a rent reduction.

Basically, it’s not your problem if they “can’t” get a tradesman to repair it. It’s theirs. If they need to exhaust all options or pay more to get priority service within the required timeframe, then they should.

Demand in writing that it be repaired within a reasonable timeframe from when you first reported it and state that after that go to the ACT CAT. You’ll be amazed what can be achieved by a landlord after they hear that.

If the collapsed carport is dangerous, then it’s an urgent repair and the timeframe deemed ‘reasonable’ is even shorter.

Read this: http://www.ors.act.gov.au/resources/attachments/The_Renting_Book_-_A_Guide_To_Your_Rights_And_Responsibilities_As_A_Tenant,_Property_Owner_Or_Real_Estate_Agent.pdf

I can understand you helping to track someone down to do the job – it’s going above and beyond what you should have to do, but understandable if you want to keep good relations with the landlord (and actually get rid of the mess!) – but why on earth would you want to help foot the bill??

Reading your story, it seems the issue is simply finding anyone available to actually do the work, not paying for it…so if you manage to find someone who is available, wouldn’t you just arrange for the landlord to agree to the payment, and then book them in?

m_ratt said :

Don’t do it! If you put money towards it, there’s nothing to compel them to repay you. If money is the issue preventing repair from happening sooner, then that’s even worse.

Even as a non-urgent repair, they MUST make repairs within a reasonable period of time (4-weeks). If not, then you can argue that they are not keeping the premises in a reasonable state of repair. You can then apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) for a rent reduction.

Basically, it’s not your problem if they “can’t” get a tradesman to repair it. It’s theirs. If they need to exhaust all options or pay more to get priority service within the required timeframe, then they should.

Demand in writing that it be repaired within a reasonable timeframe from when you first reported it and state that after that go to the ACT CAT. You’ll be amazed what can be achieved by a landlord after they hear that.

If the collapsed carport is dangerous, then it’s an urgent repair and the timeframe deemed ‘reasonable’ is even shorter.

Read this: http://www.ors.act.gov.au/resources/attachments/The_Renting_Book_-_A_Guide_To_Your_Rights_And_Responsibilities_As_A_Tenant,_Property_Owner_Or_Real_Estate_Agent.pdf

While agreeing thats its probably not a good idea to pay on your landlords behalf I think its also a bit over the top to go straight to letters “demanding” this and that and threatening someone who may be acting in good faith. If you have a good relationship with your land lord and feel they are doing their best you are doing the right thing working with them. Souring a relationship that suits both parties achieves nothing.

TL:DR version dont hand over dollars but also dont be a barrack room lawyer. Good luck.

Thanks guys,

We normally haver a deal if we need something fixed, and she cant afford it, we don’t pay rent for how ever much it costs… But this time, She needs the rent for her mortgage, but she cant afford to get it pulled down at the moment as her hubby lost his job, she just had a baby, and they had to move house…. We don’t want to do it in case we wreck the house some how.. so it’s just a little annoying…

arb said :

Maybe worth contacting the SES to see if they can use it as a training exercise? Breaching, shoring, use of hand tools, etc would be useful practice for them.

Hey! Thats a great idea! I might try that….. Thanks!

Shanski_0 said :

Thanks guys,

We normally haver a deal if we need something fixed, and she cant afford it, we don’t pay rent for how ever much it costs… But this time, She needs the rent for her mortgage, but she cant afford to get it pulled down at the moment as her hubby lost his job, she just had a baby, and they had to move house…. We don’t want to do it in case we wreck the house some how.. so it’s just a little annoying…

She could be telling you furphies, but she is under contract to keep the house in a reasonable state of repair.

But if she’s telling the truth, then why isn’t dear hubby coming over to demolish the car port?

NoImRight said :

While agreeing thats its probably not a good idea to pay on your landlords behalf I think its also a bit over the top to go straight to letters “demanding” this and that and threatening someone who may be acting in good faith. If you have a good relationship with your land lord and feel they are doing their best you are doing the right thing working with them. Souring a relationship that suits both parties achieves nothing.

TL:DR version dont hand over dollars but also dont be a barrack room lawyer. Good luck.

Maybe, however standing up for your contractual rights shouldn’t sour a relationship what is little more than a business relationship.

If it’s come to the point of posting on a public forum to try to sort it out after waiting 5 weeks, it’s well beyond reasonable. If money is the issue, that should have been a consideration before investing in the property.

Is a carport ‘falling down’ not covered by building insurance?

And I thought I was gullible. As some one posted to me recently, they obviously saw you coming and put out the welcome mat.

First, your land lord’s financial problems are not your issue. They have obviously over extended themselves and can not afford to have two properties. Easy soloution, sell one.
Make an offical complaint in writing. If you already have, and have not taken action in four weeks, stop paying rent. Make an offical complaint to whoever the relevant authority is and start looking for a new place to live. Use the money you save from not paying rent for the bond and rent on a legitimate property.

Or, arrange for someone to get injured by the debris on said garage. When the legal shit clears, offer to buy the garbage dump you live in as part of the settlement from your former land lord. Take pity on the now broke land lord and offer to rent said dump back to them.

So is this a private rental? The fact you have arrangements in place for paying for maintenance, there’s no mention of an agent, and you know so much about the landlord’s private circumstances makes me think it probably is.

Give the SES option a shot, but I’d think there are possible liability insurance issues there, and I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with my insurance having to cover a SES training exercise on my property!

When you say it’s fallen over, what are we talking about? Completely collapsed, and laying in a heap on the ground? Partially over, with parts still attached to the house? Is it all metal, metal and timber, timber and laserlite roofing?

Are you and your partner able to do any of the work yourselves? If all that’s necessary is deconstructing it, and it’s free of the house, maybe you can come to an agreement where your landlord pays for any tools you need to buy to do the job and some labour, you settle on a fee, and then use your existing arrangement once their situation has improved.

Inappropriate said :

Shanski_0 said :

Thanks guys,

We normally haver a deal if we need something fixed, and she cant afford it, we don’t pay rent for how ever much it costs… But this time, She needs the rent for her mortgage, but she cant afford to get it pulled down at the moment as her hubby lost his job, she just had a baby, and they had to move house…. We don’t want to do it in case we wreck the house some how.. so it’s just a little annoying…

She could be telling you furphies, but she is under contract to keep the house in a reasonable state of repair.

But if she’s telling the truth, then why isn’t dear hubby coming over to demolish the car port?

They live in Sydney, We have a great relationship with our Landlord, We have lived here for 5 years, and had no major issues, This is the first one.. I trust her, but being after Christmas it’s hard financially, And I am getting married in 2 weeks, so it’s a little stressful right now.

ThatUniStudent said :

And I thought I was gullible. As some one posted to me recently, they obviously saw you coming and put out the welcome mat.

First, your land lord’s financial problems are not your issue. They have obviously over extended themselves and can not afford to have two properties. Easy soloution, sell one.
Make an offical complaint in writing. If you already have, and have not taken action in four weeks, stop paying rent. Make an offical complaint to whoever the relevant authority is and start looking for a new place to live. Use the money you save from not paying rent for the bond and rent on a legitimate property.

Or, arrange for someone to get injured by the debris on said garage. When the legal shit clears, offer to buy the garbage dump you live in as part of the settlement from your former land lord. Take pity on the now broke land lord and offer to rent said dump back to them.

You’re all class.

What’s it made of and are any of the materials salvageable? Sounds like it was pretty decrepit to just “fall over”. You could put out an ad for “Free carport, partially dismantled”. I’m no qualified builder or anything but pulling down a carport isn’t overly complicated. I regularly do full garages by myself in a day no worries. It’s just a matter of identifying whats holding up what and taking off the top stuff first.

Sandman said :

What’s it made of and are any of the materials salvageable? Sounds like it was pretty decrepit to just “fall over”. You could put out an ad for “Free carport, partially dismantled”. I’m no qualified builder or anything but pulling down a carport isn’t overly complicated. I regularly do full garages by myself in a day no worries. It’s just a matter of identifying whats holding up what and taking off the top stuff first.

There is wood and roof tiles.. most are still ok.. The wood rotted on one side, then rest is still kinda up… I cant work out how to post a picture… I’ll email one to johnboy, hopefully he can put it up for me..

It is still attached to the house, But I think it can be pulled down easily.. i think..??
It was built with the house, So it’s 40 odd years old… All the neighbours are checking their car ports too.. lol

Shanski_0 said :

It is still attached to the house, But I think it can be pulled down easily.. i think..??
It was built with the house, So it’s 40 odd years old… All the neighbours are checking their car ports too.. lol

If it was built with the house, chances are it’s an approved structure, and thus it would be covered by building insurance (this is one of the reasons you have building insurance).

Speak with the landlords, come to an arrangement to get the rest pulled down. You can certainly be sympathetic to their situation, but if the roles where reversed (eg you where unable to pay rent for many weeks on end) would they go ahead and say “oh, that no problem, we don’t really need the money anyway”?

No chances are you would get a letter of demand, followed by a summons to the tribunal. Same thing, they are obliged to remove the now dangerous carport, and either build you a new one, or give a rent reduction as it was something that was no doubt included as part of the contract.

Waiting 5 weeks is more than long enough for them to get themselves in order, they have no choice but to sort the problem out, and quite frankly it’s their problem, not yours.

But back to the origional request… Can anyone recommend anyone we can call to come and quote this??
Anyone we should avoid??

Thanks Johnboy!

I love how you’re still using it to store your bins under.
Yeah, wait for a windy day to retrive the bins, when shit falls on you, sue the pants off the land lord.

Just remember being an arsehole goes two ways. If you want to go all rabidly contractual on your landlord, don’t expect them to cut you an ounce of slack in return, and that final inspection will be proctological.

Like others have said, it would be wise not to sink your own money into the property. But as long as you’re not out of pocket, I don’t see any problem with a co-operative approach. The landlord sounds like a family down on its luck while trying to invest in their future.

Maybe suggest that they hire a trailer and chainsaw, source some labour on gumtree.com.au or all classifieds, and cart off what can’t salvaged and use for the replacement car port to the tip. At least that way the hazard is removed. Up to you whether a carport is a deal breaker.

That gives the landlord time to source a builder and get things under control again. Christmas and January is a shite time to get anything done.

1337Hax0r said :

I love how you’re still using it to store your bins under.
Yeah, wait for a windy day to retrive the bins, when shit falls on you, sue the pants off the land lord.

The photos were taken the day it fell.. The bins are now out from under it.. The lovely firemen saved them for us.

Looking at the photos, it’s going to be much more than an afternoon with a few mates and a slab of beer type of job. One also assumes it’s to be replaced once the exisiting one is cleaned up.

Have you tried contacting the HIA (Housing Industry Assoc) to see if they can recommend a reliable registered builder who may specialise in tiled carports. If done as one job then they should be able to salvage some of the materials (especially the tiles) from the current structure.

I doubt a builder would be interested in this job, it’s a demo. If you could find a way to get the rest of it to collapse onto the ground, you could pretty easily (or get someone in, labourer) pick off the tiles and stack them for re-use, bash apart the ceiling battens and roof beams, useful wood there, probably oregon. Even for burning. Building the new carport is a separate issue to pulling down this one.

c’mon…are you telling me you cant grab a few easily reachable tiles off that wreck and stack them in a pile?

If i was living there I would’ve had that thing down, with the tiles stacked into a trailer within a weekend.

Then I would be handing the landlord an invoice for Tip fees and $1000 labour….

metal said :

c’mon…are you telling me you cant grab a few easily reachable tiles off that wreck and stack them in a pile?

If i was living there I would’ve had that thing down, with the tiles stacked into a trailer within a weekend.

Then I would be handing the landlord an invoice for Tip fees and $1000 labour….

… Im too short to reach the ones on the roof still… i’ve moved the ones on the ground though!

I dont want to do it myself, Incase we damage the house, as I said before. I’d rather someone with insurance do it so if anything does go wrong , it is covered.

Shanski_0 said :

metal said :

c’mon…are you telling me you cant grab a few easily reachable tiles off that wreck and stack them in a pile?

If i was living there I would’ve had that thing down, with the tiles stacked into a trailer within a weekend.

Then I would be handing the landlord an invoice for Tip fees and $1000 labour….

… Im too short to reach the ones on the roof still… i’ve moved the ones on the ground though!

I dont want to do it myself, Incase we damage the house, as I said before. I’d rather someone with insurance do it so if anything does go wrong , it is covered.

fair enough you don’t want to do it yourself. You shouldn’t have to either. But it also sounds like nobody else wants to do it either. I’m pretty sure this job would only get done through a cash job/favour.

You are worried about damaging the house? Almost ironic that you are worried about damaging the house when part of the house you are paying for has collapsed in out itself. I don’t see any surrounding buildings or houses (besides the wall of your house) anywhere near the carport.

Shanski_0 said :

… Im too short to reach the ones on the roof still… i’ve moved the ones on the ground though!

Its called a ladder and we all have to buy one eventually…

metal said :

Shanski_0 said :

… Im too short to reach the ones on the roof still… i’ve moved the ones on the ground though!

Its called a ladder and we all have to buy one eventually…

Why dont you just go around and do it for them since you are so awesome?

OP has said she doesnt have the time or ablilty to do it. Let it go.Suggest someone who can help or move on.