TENANTS who damage public housing, and those convicted of rental fraud will face new sanctions and eviction under new laws passed last week by the NSW Parliament, Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall announced on Wednesday.
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Mr Marshall said the laws, which amended the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and Housing Act 2001, would lead to a fairer, safer, and more financially sustainable social housing system across the region.
The changes also give the government the power to make tenants who have caused significant damage to their public housing property pay a rental bond. This will not apply to tenants who do the right thing.
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“These changes mean that those doing the wrong thing in public housing will finally be held to account,” Mr Marshall said.
“Tenants who wreck their properties, or receive a benefit they do not deserve, are disadvantaging those genuinely in need and on the waiting list for housing.
“It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix up a house after it has been damaged by a tenant, and those responsible will now be held to account and punted.”
Mr Marshall said the changes would ensure the government could take appropriate action against the minority of tenants who do not value their property.
“Tenancy bonds form part of the NSW Government’s commitment to combat bad behaviour in public housing. This includes recent changes to strengthen its Antisocial Behaviour Policy by directing those who do the wrong thing to support services.”
