elaine&andystokes

Hi, Wondering if anyone can help. Still waiting for return of bond over 2 months after vacating property. Well known agency (won't mention names but changed names during period of tenancy). Landlord did initial clean prior to us occupying so was "clean" but far from perfect. Prior to departure, we cleaned the place from top to bottom, paid for steam cleaning of carpets, window cleaning & a further $350 on exit clean (as well as spending hours upon hours scrubbing everything from lightswitches to skirting). Moved back to UK early July. Final inspection second week of July. Hectic with relocation so end of July contacted agent and we were informed that they had several issues - landlord overseas for a further month so could not be resolved until their return. Contacted agent again at end of August and were advised that they wish to deduct in excess of $2,500!! Really feel like we have been done over. Some of the deductions are totally unreasonable - e.g. $703.20 for dying plants when landlord was responsible for gardening, $858 for handyman to paint chips etc. (whatever happened to fair wear & tear? We did actually live there for two and a half years and pay exorbitant rent!). Doesn't help that we are now in the UK so difficult to deal with agent / landlord. Always had a good relationship with landlord and never caused any problems as tenants Has anyone else had experience of this problem? Would like to get our bond back. Not overly concerned re references as now thankfully back in our own home. Need to get our bond back though. Can anyone with a similar experience advise on the best way to proceed? Not sure of our legal rights. All help appreciated. cheers Elaine

Hi, Went there 15+ years ago with my husband when we were both twenty somethings and again this year with our family of five and my sisters visiting family of five. Would thoroughly recommend it - aussies certainly know how to do a firework display. When we went as a couple we went in to the city and hung out for the day. Watched from the botanical gardens and was a great atmosphere, can't remember where we stayed but was probably somewhere cheap on the outskirts with public transport to and from the display. This time round (2014/2015) we stayed in North Bondi and didn't go all the way in. We went to Dudley page reserve - north of north Bondi. Reason we chose here was that it was a 20 min walk / 5 min bus ride from our accommodation, family friendly and still a great vantage point of harbour bridge etc. So if you are young and sprightly and prepared to do public transport I'd go in for the atmosphere. If you can't face the hassle but still want a good vantage point chose one of the options further out - see the website for more info -http://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/vantage-points/. Re accommodation its pretty expensive. We used Air bnb and that worked out really well for us. Booked flights one or two months before - didn't break the bank! Good luck & enjoy.

For general dentists you can try your local school dental service - there's one at magill school - contact details will be on the SADS (South australian dental service) website, or private practices as recommended by locals. Costs vary but with SADS its a fee of $43 for a payable course of care (all routine care (not including ortho) required for 12-24 months dependent on risk). For those who are eligible for CDBS care is free. for orthodontists you can try the ASO website (australian society of orthodontists). Lists practices and contact details by suburb. Standard of orthodontists are generally great and Con is lovely. good luck.

Deryan's posts have really resonated with me. Currently planning to return to west London after two years in Adelaide. Has been a wonderful experience for our three children age 7, 9 & 11 and myself. Reasonable standard and cost for private education, enjoying variety of pursuits and immersing ourselves in the great outdoors. My work in healthcare has been rewarding and reasonably well remunerated for government without being too stressful. For four out of five, work/life balance has been good. Then there's my husband for whom things have not been so good - hence our desire to return home. Coming from a corporate background but not being connected in he tried all avenues to secure a position here in Adelaide but to no avail - for reasons why read deryans posts - could not have summed it up better myself. He started his MBA here and took it to diploma level but failed to see the point in completing it in an environment that would be unlikely to offer fulfilling prospects / access to a like-minded network. Usually an outgoing optimist, he is now less upbeat as it has taken its toll. However I don't believe in tolerating a situation that makes you unhappy when you have the power to change it - life's too short. Likewise I don't believe in convincing myself somewhere is right for me in the face of evidence to the contrary. Now that we have decided to leave we can take a balanced view. It's been a costly adventure, but one that we have made the most of. Kids have loved it and would be happy in either UK or AUS. Have seen more of australia than a lot of my colleagues. Just need to summon the energy for the next challenge - logistics of the return. But I think we're ready. Will miss the sunshine but bring on the culture and (hate me now!!) what I think is a fairer more open minded society. (Apart from Katie Hopkins & UKIP)