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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Thursday, 11 March 2004) . . Page.. 1208 ..

Housing—private properties
(Question No 1288)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, upon notice:

(1) In relation to the renting of 50 private rental properties by ACT Housing, was this initiative advertised to property owners; if so, when and who was invited to apply; if not, why not;

(2) In what suburbs are these houses located;

(3) Will the private owners have any input into the type of tenants to be accommodated, for example families and groups;

(4) Will market rent be charged by the owners, if so will this result in HACT paying more rent than it currently forgoes for its own properties and if so what will the cost difference be;

(5) Are rents payable by ACT Housing to the owners fixed; if so, for how long;

(6) If rent is fixed, how will the private landlord take advantage of the rising rents in the Canberra market;

(7) If the properties are mortgaged, will ACT Housing take over the full mortgage repayments via rent;

(8) What will be the average rent paid to owners;

(9) What rules will apply to eviction and will they be the same rules as those applying in the private rental market;

(10) What arrangements will be made in cases of property damage by tenants and will a bond be required to cover this possibility.

Mr Wood: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) In early February this year an officer of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services met with real estate agents at a function organised by the Real Estate Institute of the ACT, to encourage participation in the program. This met with support from the agents. There was a press release on the 9 February 2004 which brought some private inquiries. Properties are being sought on the open rental market.

(2) The properties are located in various suburbs, and due to privacy issues it is not Housing ACT’s policy to identify the location of their properties.

(3) The owners will not have input into tenant selection. The properties will be tenanted according to client needs.

(4) Market rent will be charged to Housing ACT by the owners. Market rent is also charged to Housing ACT tenants. Rent foregone in both cases is dependent on clients’ incomes.

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