Smith & Elliott Real Estate Review

Great to deal with would recommend to any person looking for a new home.

Quite simply the worst rental experience I've ever had (And I've been renting houses for near on 20 years).

- During rental crunch last year we signed a 3 month lease at 730/week *price gouging* (cough) for a 3 bed Queenslander in West End to ensure we had a roof over our heads. Furnished with yard maintenance included so we thought we could tolerate for a short period.
- After rain water leaked through the roof, ceiling and walls resulting in a short circuit to 3/4 of the house wiring. We were told we'd rented the house 'as is' and to let it dry out.
- Likewise the water pooling on the dining room floor. 'Sorry, you took the house 'as is'.
- Finally a tarp was erected, though water still leaked after the next rain.
- Advised that the owner didn't want to pay anything more than 2 days rent compensation, as if somehow they're God and got to decide this.
- The 'monthly yard maintenance' eventuated once in 3 months, after they tried to claim it only included the footpath and not the yard (not cited anywhere in the lease documents).
- Yard had a pile of palm fronts and other green matter that sat next to the house for 10 weeks before being cleaned up.
- Bottom part of the house was a studio that we were told we could rent out to reduce the rental load. Ended up with mould and mildew growing out of the walls the water leakage was so bad, and sparks with smoke coming from a fire alarm. Not really habitable. Zero effort to compensate from the agent/owner.
- The tradie they hired to remove the alarm and fix the wiring didn't clean up after themselves, leaving plaster and ceiling debris in the entrance way to the downstairs studio.
- Water pooled in a locked storage area we couldn't get access to, creating a pretty rank and stinky mosquito haven. Mosquitos would literally fly up into the living room through a crack in the front room between the floor and wall. Requested access to this area to fix it but told we couldn't have it.
-Had to lend our own keys to the agent so they could run an inspection as they'd left their copy with a tradesman.
-Resorted to issuing an RTA breach notice. The thing is, while most of these issues were fixed in a timeframe that met regulatory obligations (in a way), it was a constant, stressful experience through no fault of our own.

Totally unrelated but coincidental timing, my brother purchased a property through Smith and Elliott at this time. Near on $700K in Townsville is a decent sale. Brother asked me to pick up keys as they were still driving up on the Friday night. I went in to the office to pick these up where the Principle advised/admitted she had no idea the property had settled and sorry she didn't have a gift for them. I don't think anyone cares about the gift, but it just adds to the overall impression we've been given in our dealings with Smith and Elliott.

Greedy, dishonest, repugnant individuals. These people fabricated damage on a condition report to successfully steal our $2000 deposit. Literally doing nothing for the already necrotic image of Real Estate agents.

Avoid if you can.

It is so hard finding prompt, efficient and genuine service, and when you do its definitely worth mentioning it to others. Great work team. I wouldn't list my house with anyone else!

Best real estate in town i have no dramas with them at all with them

If you are moving or even just relocating in Townsville QLD then you need to have Donna Lloyd with Smith & Elliott saved on your phone! She is five star service and went above and beyond getting to know not only my needs, but also sat down with our family and shared connections to eventually help us find our rental property! We would of never been able to navigate the extremely competitive market in Townsville without Donna and would recommend her to family and friends in a heartbeat! Call Donna!