The Victorian Public Tenants Association welcomes the decision of the Victorian Ombudsman to commence an ‘own motion’ investigation into the Office of Housing’s processes for determining and pursuing maintenance debts against public housing tenants.
We have worked with many tenants who have complained that they have been over-charged, particularly when they have left a property.
The vast majority of tenants treat their houses as their homes, and when they hand them back at the end of their tenancy they are in a reasonably clean condition, taking into account fair wear and tear.
The VPTA believes that the system of sub-contracting maintenance should form part of the investigation.
This matter is not just about who gets charged for maintenance. We often see people who are left homeless because they have a maintenance debt that they are unable to clear.
On 1 August 2016 there were 47 applications by the Office of Housing against tenants listed in VCAT for hearing. While not all related to determining and pursuing maintenance debts against public housing tenants, it is a clear indication that there are significant problems with the system.
Residential Tenancies List
Bairnsdale Law Courts, Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale
Member TBA
10:30 AM R201626782/00 Director Of Housing vs M
10:30 AM R201624290/00 Director Of Housing vs O
10:30 AM R201626760/00 Director Of Housing vs T
12:30 PM R201625629/00 Director Of Housing vs S
02:00 PM R201626380/00 Director Of Housing vs W
03:00 PM R201624373/00 Director Of Housing vs G
Dandenong Law Courts, Cnr Foster and Langhorne Sts, Dandenong
Member TBA
09:30 AM R201626808/00 Director Of Housing vs J
09:30 AM R201626704/00 Director Of Housing vs P
10:30 AM R201627344/00 Director Of Housing vs W
12:00 PM R201627378/00 Director Of Housing vs S
02:00 PM R201540701/03 Director Of Housing vs B
Echuca Law Courts, Heygarth Street, Echuca
Member TBA
02:00 PM R201624061/00 Director Of Housing vs A
03:00 PM R201622361/00 Director Of Housing vs H
Frankston Law Courts, Fletcher Road, Frankston
Member TBA
10:30 AM R201615913/01 Director Of Housing vs B
12:00 PM R201625104/00 Director Of Housing vs C
Geelong Law Courts, Railway Terrace, Geelong
Member TBA
11:00 AM R201612747/02 Director Of Housing (Geelong Office) vs R
11:00 AM R201618558/01 Director Of Housing (Geelong Office) vs S
12:00 PM R201622341/01 Director Of Housing (Geelong Office) vs G
02:00 PM R201628520/00 Director Of Housing (Geelong Office) vs C and R and M
Korumburra Law Courts, Bridge Street, Korumburra
Member TBA
11:00 AM R201625846/00 Director Of Housing vs D
12:00 PM R201624050/00 Director Of Housing vs C
02:00 PM R201626254/00 Director Of Housing vs A
02:00 PM R201625132/00 Director Of Housing vs O
Moorabbin Law Courts, 1140 Nepean Highway, Highett
Member TBA
02:00 PM R20151552/05 Director Of Housing vs H
03:00 PM R201625810/00 Director Of Housing vs M
VCAT, 55 King St, Melbourne – 5th Floor
Member TBA
09:30 AM R201626575/00 Director Of Housing vs P
10:30 AM R201626576/00 Director Of Housing vs A
10:30 AM R201626577/00 Director Of Housing vs M
10:30 AM R201626579/00 Director Of Housing vs N
10:30 AM R201626609/00 Director Of Housing vs P
10:30 AM R201626624/00 Director Of Housing vs U
11:30 AM R201626777/00 Director Of Housing vs A
11:30 AM R201626709/00 Director Of Housing vs A
11:30 AM R201626862/00 Director Of Housing vs K
12:00 PM R201626914/00 Director Of Housing vs A
12:00 PM R201612146/05 Director Of Housing vs J
12:00 PM R201627483/00 Director Of Housing vs W
02:00 PM R201627034/00 Director Of Housing vs A
02:00 PM R201626968/00 Director Of Housing vs F
02:00 PM R201627310/00 Director Of Housing vs H
02:00 PM R201626984/00 Director Of Housing vs P
02:00 PM R201622960/01 Director Of Housing vs L
Moe Town Hall, Albert Street, Moe
Member TBA
11:00 AM R201625096/00 Director Of Housing vs W
11:00 AM R201626190/00 Director Of Housing vs W
02:00 PM R201626733/00 Director Of Housing vs F and A
Warrnambool Law Courts, 218 Koroit Street, Warrnambool
Member TBA
02:00 PM R201626133/00 Director Of Housing vs S
Werribee Law Courts, Salisbury Street, Werribee
Member TBA
12:00 PM R201625808/00 Director Of Housing vs K and K