My Landlord is Refusing to Give My Money Back

If you want to vacate the apartment or a house you have rented, is your Landlord complaining that you have damaged the place? Is your Landlord refusing to give your Bond Money back? We often have students come to us for help with these problems.
LegalCounsel@CrossCulture gives this advice:

1. When you move into a rented property, always take good, clear photos of every part of the place. Keep these photos. You may need to rely on these for evidence, if your Landlord tries to withhold your Bond Money when you move out. Do this even if you are only moving into a rented room in a Boarding House or into a property that someone else has leased in their name.
2. If there are already some damaged areas, take special close-up photos of the damage.
3. By email, promptly send all your photos to the Landlord, or to the person to whom you pay your rent.
4. Ask that person or the Landlord to kindly acknowledge receipt of your email by email reply.
5. Keep your email and that person’s email reply. You may need to rely on it inevidence if there is a Bong dispute when you move out.
6. If you are signing a Residential Tenancy Agreement, your Landlord must give you a “Condition Report” to fill in and return to the Landlord or Real Estate Agent. It is a sheet of paper with spaces on it to fill in. Your job is to clearly state the actualcondition of each room. You must note down on the Condition Report, all damage that you can see. Don’t forget to include things like: cracks in tiles; paint chips on the doors or the walls; any burn marks in the kitchen; any significant scratch marks on the floors; any buckling or sagging of cupboard shelves in any room; any stains on the bath or shower tiles; anything that is broken; any power points or light fittings that do not work.

If you get into trouble, and need legal help to get back your Bond,
Counsel@CrossCulture is open to everyone.
You don’t have to attend a church to attend Counsel@CrossCulture.

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Pastor Mike Kirkpatrick, Lawyer / Legal Counsellor
BA, LLB, M.Div; T. 9639 3875; 0432 339 582; E. mike@legalcc.net.au

Appointments may also be made online at:
http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.

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Adjustment Disorders

Changes in life circumstances happen to everybody, for example,..... working or studying overseas, new jobs, change study courses, becomes unemployed, becoming parents, shifting house, living with new people, a relationship ending, forming a new relationship, job promotion, retirement,.... the list goes on and on. Sometimes, the changes happen in close succession, or happen all at once and our coping mechanism cannot handle them and our body and mind would not be able to function as normal.

While most of us adapt adequately, sometimes our coping mechanism is compromised and we feel anxious, tired, restless, forgetful, and overwhelmed.

Just being aware of the above is a great help in keeping our mental health in functioning mode.

In the event that you do not feel your normal self due to too much happening all at once, you might need counselling/ support/ reassurance.

Our counselling service does not just cater for our church members only. It is open to everyone. So please share this information with your family and friends.

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Dr Roger Chau, Consultant Psychiatrist
MBBS (Melb), FRANZCP
T. 9639 3875; E. rchau@counselcc.net.au

Dr Chau meets with clients at Counsel@CrossCulture on Wednesday mornings most weeks. Consultation strictly by appointment only. Consultations may be bulk-billed (no cost to you) with a Medicare Card and, in most cases, fully rebated with OSHC Insurance if you’re an International Student. A referral from your doctor is required prior to your first appointment.

Appointments may also be made online at: http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.

Photo: Ambro, freedigitalphotos.net

Change Can Be Challenging ...

When faced with particular issues, old attempts toward resolution, no longer serve a purpose. These patterns begin to prevent a life of wellbeing and optimum health at a variety of levels.

During change, one strives forward and behaves in self-protective ways due to feelings of uncertainty, mistrust and/or the fear of not being able to withstand disruption to old ways of being.

Change can raise concerns about one’s relationships, being confronted with uncomfortable feelings such as doubt and fear.

It may force one to ask questions such as, “Who am I?” and “How am I going to move forward in the face of these circumstances?”

One may say, “It all sounds too difficult this change and adapting to new circumstances”.

Well it is difficult and challenging at times, however not impossible.

Finding someone who understands you, someone you feel safe with, who will not judge or criticize, is a very good place to start.

Change can be seen as the essence of personal development and the opportunity of new beginnings.

It is one way to understand more meaningfully, how one relates to others and an invitation for self-reflection.

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”.

Carl Rogers

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Tess Tokatlidis, Somatic Psychotherapist
Associate Member of AASP, Dip Somatic Psychotherapy,
Specialist Relationship Therapy R.A., Ass. Dip. Welfare Studies
T 9639 3875; 0401 902 702; E tess@counselcc.net.au

As a Somatic Psychotherapist, Tess places great importance on the whole person—including psychological, emotional and physical

aspects of your experience. Somatic Psychotherapy begins at $50 per hour for full-time students and up to $80 max for those who work full-time.

Appointments may also be made online at: http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.

Photo: David Castillo Dominici, freedigitalphotos.net

Do You Find It Difficult to Say No?

Many people equate the use of the word NO to someone who is selfish or mean. They fear being rejected or judged if they say no to a request, especially if that request involves doing something for someone else. Christians often struggle to say no when asked to take on extra responsibilities at church. In certain circumstances saying yes, rather than no, leaves people feeling resentful, stressed and burned out.

Many people believe that no is a ‘bad’ word when in fact it is used to help set healthy boundaries. Saying no to temptations such as excessive alcohol or fatty food consumption can lead to improved health. Saying no to the constant demands of a pushy employer can help preserve your work/life balance not to mention your sanity! Saying no to unacceptable behaviour in a relationship can help protect you from harm and preserve your integrity.

I have seen many clients who are frustrated and burned out because they feel that they have lost control of their lives. Their health and relationships are suffering
because they don’t know how and when to say no.

If you would like to learn how say no without feeling guilty and take back control of your life, then please contact Marina Dyson at Counsel@CrossCulture.

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Marina Dyson, General Counsellor
Associate of CCAA, Adv Dip Christian Counselling & Family Therapy
T. 9639 3875; 0402 345 039; E. marina@counselcc.net.au

Marina Dyson works with individuals and couples experiencing grief and loss, depression, anxiety, marriage and relationship difficulties and those seeking career guidance or general support during life transitions. Marina also speaks Italian.

General Counselling begins at $5 per hour for full-time students and up to $40 max for those who work full-time.

Appointments may also be made online at: http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.

Photo: Michal Marcol, freedigitalimages.net