Page 4182 - Week 15 - Thursday, 17 December 1992

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO. 420

Housing Trust Properties - Damage by Tenants

MR CORNWELL - asked the Minister for Housing and Community Services -

In relation to the Housing Trust and information provided during Estimates hearings (Proof Estimates Hearings pp 1380-81)-

(1) When a tenant moves into Trust premises (a) is that tenant provided with guidelines or a set of minimum standards for care of that property; (b) does that tenant make any contractual agreement that he/she will maintain that property at a reasonable standard; (c) does that tenant make any contractual agreement that he/she will be responsible for the cost of repairs to damage other than that caused by normal wear and tear.

(2) When repairs are performed on Trust premises, are records kept to show a distinction between "wear and tear" type work and actual damage, either accidental or wilful. .

(3) In cases of wilful damage to Trust property, what procedures are used by the Trust to reprimand that tenant, gain restitution for the cost of repairs and to safeguard that property in the future.

MR CONNOLLY - The answer to the Members question is as follows:

(1) (a) Yes. Housing Trust tenants sign a tenancy agreement when accepting a house or flat. Clauses in the Tenancy Agreement state that tenants will maintain the house/flat is good clean tenantable and serviceable condition to the satisfaction of the Commissioner having regard to its condition at the beginning of the tenancy.

(b) Yes.

(2) Since the introduction of the new maintenance system records are kept on all maintenance. A distinction is made between items considered to be "fair wear and tear" and those assessed as wilful or accidental damage.

4182

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .