Deeply disappointing experience…
I had a deeply disappointing experience with Dowling Real Estate. When I needed to break my lease, the agency demanded I pay rent for several weeks after I vacated, even though NSW tenancy law clearly states that only a one-week break fee was required. Despite providing proper notice and returning the keys, the agent ignored the law and pressured me for extra payments. Only after I challenged them with the correct legislation (which is 14 years old) did they back down. This experience was stressful, time-consuming, and completely avoidable if the agency had acted ethically and professionally.
As a Tennant and Landlord, I would not recommend Dowling Real Estate to other tenants- if you do, know your rights and be prepared to stand up for them and be prepared arrogance and dismissive behaviour. I would not let Dowling manage my property portfolio, their sub-par knowledge of the Act leaves the landlord at risk- their are plenty of other agencies doing a much better job.