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Public housing tenants wreak havoc as documents reveal bad behaviour
PUBLIC housing tenants are being slapped with more than 600 warnings a week for failing to pay rent, harassing neighbours and wrecking taxpayer-funded homes.
A catalogue of bad behaviour, from illegal activity to allowing properties to fall into disarray, is detailed in housing department documents obtained by The Sunday Mail.
One tenant had not paid rent for more than a year and another was the neighbour from hell who had to be warned about violence, foul language, blaring music and property damage.
During the past three years, more than 1000 of the "worst of the worst" offenders have been taken to a tribunal in an attempt to evict or sanction them and troublesome tenants have racked up a $20 million damage bill.
The State Government has recovered only a fraction of the repair costs.
The documents, obtained under Right to Information laws, show 26,453 breach notices were issued to public housing tenants last year for missing rent payments.
A further 5906 notices were issued after tenants damaged property, disturbed the peace, abused or intimidated neighbours, failed to keep homes clean and other breaches.
Residents have 14 days to remedy breaches, while in "extreme" cases the department can apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to evict tenants.
An application lodged last November to evict a Brisbane tenant, said the rental account had been in continuous arrears since October 25, 2010.
Numerous complaints led the Mackay office to apply to the tribunal to evict a tenant for objectionable behaviour and property damage.
Inspections revealed extensive property damage internally and externally and "in addition, the property is frequented by youth who have been involved in the abuse and harassment of neighbours".
In Brisbane, a long list of grievances, included "property damage, excessive noise, loud music, yelling, foul language, domestic disturbances, violent arguments, threats to neighbours and constant police attendance".
Tenants were issued 122 breach notices for using their premises for illegal purposes such as drug production.
Housing Minister Karen Struthers said some of the state's 55,000 households in social housing faced complex issues such as domestic violence, mental illness or a disability but unruly behaviour wasn't tolerated.
"These tenants have a right to a roof over their heads and support from government and community organisations to help them stay in their homes and meet expectations of appropriate behaviour," she said.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/life/h...-1226295862710
I wonder how many of them are ex Kiwis?
- by: David Murray
- From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
- March 11, 2012 12:00AM
- 7 comments
PUBLIC housing tenants are being slapped with more than 600 warnings a week for failing to pay rent, harassing neighbours and wrecking taxpayer-funded homes.
A catalogue of bad behaviour, from illegal activity to allowing properties to fall into disarray, is detailed in housing department documents obtained by The Sunday Mail.
One tenant had not paid rent for more than a year and another was the neighbour from hell who had to be warned about violence, foul language, blaring music and property damage.
During the past three years, more than 1000 of the "worst of the worst" offenders have been taken to a tribunal in an attempt to evict or sanction them and troublesome tenants have racked up a $20 million damage bill.
The State Government has recovered only a fraction of the repair costs.
The documents, obtained under Right to Information laws, show 26,453 breach notices were issued to public housing tenants last year for missing rent payments.
A further 5906 notices were issued after tenants damaged property, disturbed the peace, abused or intimidated neighbours, failed to keep homes clean and other breaches.
Residents have 14 days to remedy breaches, while in "extreme" cases the department can apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to evict tenants.
An application lodged last November to evict a Brisbane tenant, said the rental account had been in continuous arrears since October 25, 2010.
Numerous complaints led the Mackay office to apply to the tribunal to evict a tenant for objectionable behaviour and property damage.
Inspections revealed extensive property damage internally and externally and "in addition, the property is frequented by youth who have been involved in the abuse and harassment of neighbours".
In Brisbane, a long list of grievances, included "property damage, excessive noise, loud music, yelling, foul language, domestic disturbances, violent arguments, threats to neighbours and constant police attendance".
Tenants were issued 122 breach notices for using their premises for illegal purposes such as drug production.
Housing Minister Karen Struthers said some of the state's 55,000 households in social housing faced complex issues such as domestic violence, mental illness or a disability but unruly behaviour wasn't tolerated.
"These tenants have a right to a roof over their heads and support from government and community organisations to help them stay in their homes and meet expectations of appropriate behaviour," she said.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/life/h...-1226295862710
I wonder how many of them are ex Kiwis?
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