This is a response from the Premier’s Team last Friday to questions about TAAS. We’re not sure if they realise that many electorate officers call TAAS for help.
Hi Susie – As someone who has worked in an electorate office, I can assure you that staff and MPs are capable of accessing, reading and explaining the legislation to tenants.
This is what electorate officers do, on a daily basis, covering the whole spectrum of issues.
They are also happy to provide free photocopies to assist tenants and constituents. In fact, many offices are happy to print out hundreds of community newsletters for free.
As we all know, the RTA’s website has directories filled with detailed fact sheets and forms and explanations that can help an electorate officer explain to a constituent their rights. The electorate office staff would be happy to print out these fact sheets. (In fact the one I worked in had a number of factsheets printed out ready to go). Of course, the RTA does provide free concilliation services. The RTA’s Dispute Resolution Service can be conducted through separate telephone calls, a teleconference or by face to face conference.
It’s worth noting that the RTA successfully resolves 70% of all disputes through concilliation. Of course, unresolved matters can then be held by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. QCAT is designed to allow Queenslanders to represent themselves – in fact, all parties involved in a matter before QCAT must represent themselves. As you acknowledge, tenants have to represent themselves at QCAT – so do landlords.It is not correct to suggest that the interest earned on tenant bonds, some of which previously funded TAAS, is somehow “tenants’ money”. The Act is quite specific that nobody except the RTA has any legal entitlement to amounts earned on the investment of a rental bond. Under the Act, interest earned on tenant bonds is to be used for the provision of rental advisory services or on establishing schemes for supplying residential accommodation. The Government has taken the decision that the money is better spent providing housing for people in severe need, than on duplicating services which are available elsewhere.
There is no evidence to suggest that TAAS is preventing homelessness. In fact between 2009 and 2012, the number of households on the waiting list considered to be homeless or at risk of homelessness increased by 80%. That’s why we are providing additional social housing.
It is also incorrect to state that the decision to direct funds to social housing, rather than TAAS, gives landlords or agents more power. The legislation, which clearly states the responsibilities and rights of both tenants and landlords, has not changed. – Premier’s Team Friday at 17:01
We’re not sure if the Premier’s facebook team realises that many landlords are represented in QCAT by a real estate agent
If they want evidence that TAAS helped prevent homelessness just wait awhile.
“Of course, the RTA does provide free concilliation services. The RTA’s Dispute Resolution Service can be conducted through separate telephone calls, a teleconference or by face to face conference”!
• Indeed, if not for the fact that the voluntary RTA’s dispute resolution venue has been avoided by the Dept of Housing!
“As someone who has worked in an electorate office, I can assure you that staff and MPs are capable of accessing, reading and explaining the legislation to tenants. This is what electorate officers do, on a daily basis, covering the whole spectrum of issues. They are also happy to provide”… https://savetenantservices.net.au/2387/govt-moves-on-3-strikes-policy-for-social-housing-tenants/#comment-8512
“I can assure you that staff and MPs are capable of accessing, reading and explaining the legislation to tenants. This is what electorate officers do, on a daily basis, covering the whole spectrum of issues”!
• So why on earth some electorate officers would be coy about giving their name? Unwilling to date and sign a copy of the hand-delivered papers! Unlike Ms Monica Taylor who surprisingly gave her full name while introducing herself at the Tenants’ Union in response to the sought guidance by me.
Consequently, I was given an ample of time to outline eerie dispute with the Dept of Housing, as in conclusion Ms Taylor went to consult with her coordinator, Ms Penny Carr. A shortwhile later she returned to announce that Ms Carr was ready to contact Dept of Housing, Brisbane Central Area Office. “Workings of which were well known to Ms Carr”, assured me Ms Taylor.
Simultaneously, Ms Taylor embarked on writing petition to the Dept of Housing, as well as appointment was sought for me with the social worker. Proficient in legal, tenancy issues, Ms Taylor assured. Consequently, Ms Jemma Donaghey concluded a fair petition, dispatched to the Fortitude Valley Area Manager Ms Heidi Lengen.
“The Govt has taken the decision that the money is better spent providing housing for people in severe need, than on duplicating services which are available elsewhere”! Speaking of
the duplicated services offered elsewhere:
• Caxton Legal Centre approach on 03-12-12 prior to 6pm, culminated in 3 hour waiting until 9pm. Only to be told that the subject matter form filled-out earlier, “nowhere to be found”. Then having chutzpah to ask a client to fill-up an another when the volunteer lawyers left already. Utterly flabbergasted, I was about to depart, yet as a token gesture volunteer students Darrell Kwong and Jarrod Clarke noted issue in question.
• Caxton Legal Centre approach on 04-04-13 prior to 6pm, culminated in 4 hour waiting until 10pm. Finally, seen by the volunteer lawyers’ coordinator Ms Ariane Wilkinson. Who made an earnest attempt to figure out solution to the arose predicament as a result of the ongoing incommunicado, maintained by the Landlord from Hell.
Whatever it takes to inflict anguish on the defenceless citizens, irrespective that the QCAT ruled on 19-03-13 that the Dept of Housing was not entitled under the terms of the tenancy agreement to give Notice to Remedy Breach that didn’t exist.
Ultimately, lengthy consultation at the Caxton Legal Centre culminated at 11pm on 04-04-13, as Ms Wilkinson indicated necessity of discussion the matter with her supervisor. Whilst on me was to relay to the Qld Ombudsman involved on the issue, outcome of the reached verdict at QCAT.
Irrespective that the case 2012/18192 instigated on 18-12-12 by the Qld Ombudsman was unceremoniously railroaded on 16-01-13. After 14-01-13 dated protest concerning flagitious Housing Appeals & Review unit rebuff Mr Braun’s residency reinstatement request.