Author Archives: Lead Organiser

Opposition responds to ‘three strikes’ policy

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Press Release THURSDAY 4 APRIL 2013
OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Newman Government Grandstanding On Existing Public Housing Policy

 Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller says the Newman Government’s “three-strikes and you’re out” public housing policy is a rehash of existing procedures but takes away tenants’ appeal rights.

 “Bad tenants should not be tolerated in public or private housing under any circumstance, but the existing rules allow for serious offenders to be evicted after just ‘one strike’ with others liable to be shown the door after ‘three strikes’ in one year,” Mrs Miller said.

 “There are no details yet of the Newman Government’s approach especially whether it is based on a WA model that does not allow a tenant to appeal a ‘strike’ notice or enter mediation, where the current Queensland model does.

 “This is another example of the Newman Government demonising disadvantaged Queenslanders and taking rights away from tenants who may already be in a position where they are unable to defend themselves.

 “On top of this, the Newman Government has scrapped funding to more than 20 Tenant Advocacy and Advice Services (TAAS) across the state supported by the Tenants’ Union of Queensland. Continue reading →

‘Rogue tenants put on notice’ – Minister’s press release

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Press release from Minister for Housing & Public Works, the Hon Tim Mander Issued 4 April 2013

Rogue public housing tenants will soon face stricter penalties for bad behaviour with the Newman Government today launching a “three-strikes and you’re out” policy.

Minister for Housing Tim Mander said the new policy would see problem tenants evicted if they failed to curb their behaviour.

“While the majority of our tenants do the right thing, there is an anti-social minority who treat their neighbours with contempt and the taxpayers with disdain,” Mr Mander said.

“Under Labor it was almost impossible to get evicted, no matter how badly you behaved.

“Those days are now over. People need to realise that that public housing is a privilege that comes with certain responsibilities.

“At a bare minimum, people are expected to refrain from destroying the property or using it to conduct a criminal enterprise. Similarly, there is an expectation that tenants won’t behave in a way that is unnecessarily disruptive to others in the neighbourhood.” Continue reading →

Fraser Coast concerns about losing tenant advice aired

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Reprinted from the Fraser Coast Chronicle; Mitch Crawley 1st Apr 2013 5:00 AM
Read directly from the website here

Pressure for LNP backflip as tenant service moves to close

THE Queensland Opposition is applying renewed pressure on the LNP government to reverse its decision to axe Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services on the Fraser Coast.

Former Housing Minister Bruce Flegg announced the service – which provides free information, advice and advocacy to tenants and residents in Queensland – would have its funding removed and be wound up in October last year. That decision was followed by a Federal Government announcement that it would step in with emergency funding to ensure TAAS could at least continue to operate until June this year, saving up to five jobs in the region.

Now, with that deadline approaching, Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller has renewed the Opposition’s push for the government to reverse its decision.

“TAAS services including the Fraser Coast service at Pialba have proved their worth as a source of information and advice for tenants who might otherwise be ripped-off by unscrupulous landlords,” Mrs Miller said.

“I am calling on the new Housing Minister Tim Mander to reverse the previous minister’s decision last year to axe these services.”

She said the LNP must provide funds to ensure TAAS continued beyond the financial year’s end

http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/pressure-for-lnp-backflip/1811979/

Shadow Housing Minister calls on Qld gov’t to refund TAAS

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OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
MONDAY 1 APRIL 2013
LNP Must Ensure TAAS Services Continue

Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller says the Newman Government must provide funding to ensure more than 20 Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS) across Queensland keep their doors open beyond June 30.

“TAAS services have proved their worth as a source of information and advice for tenants who might otherwise be ripped off by unscrupulous landlords,” Mrs Miller said.

“I am calling on the new Housing Minister Tim Mander to reverse the previous Minister’s decision last year to axe these services.

“Following the LNP government’s decision to cut these frontline services in July 2012 the federal government intervened to provide $3.3 million in emergency funding until 30 June 2013.

“This has allowed TAAS services to keep their doors open and provide free information and advice on affordable housing, maintenance of properties, rent increases, assistance with going to court when meditation has failed and enquiries about rent arrears.

“TAAS also ensures tenants better understand their rights and responsibilities under Queensland laws.”

Mrs Miller said Mr Mander must now provide funds to ensure frontline TAAS services continued beyond the end of the financial year.

“I understand the federal government is requiring Queensland to provide ongoing funding for tenant advice as a way to potentially cut homelessness and I urge Mr Mander to include TAAS funding as part of this strategy.”

Mrs Miller said TAAS services operated in:

  •        Brisbane — New Farm, Stafford, West End, Wynnum,  Acacia Ridge, Zillmere
  • ·        Logan
  • ·        the Gold Coast
  • ·        Ipswich
  • ·        the Sunshine Coast — Gympie and Nambour
  • ·        Bundaberg
  • ·        Central Queensland — Gladstone and Rockhampton
  • ·        Toowoomba
  • ·        Roma
  • ·        Mackay
  • ·        Proserpine
  • ·        Townsville
  • ·        Far North Queensland — Cairns and Atherton
  • ·        Mt Isa.

“TAAS was previously funded through a portion of the interest generated from tenant bonds held by the Residential Tenancies Authority to ensure that tenants across Queensland have the best possible support available,” she said.

Breaking news – new homelessness agreement signed

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A new homelessness partnership agreement has been signed between the Commonwealth and State.  We don’t know enough details yet in regard to tenancy advice funding but will keep you posted.  Here is an exerpt from Minister Butler’s press release and then a communique from today’s meeting.

“The Australian Government today announced a $320 million agreement with the states and territories which ensures the continued provision of vital homelessness services.

The Federal Government made $159 million available in early March, conditional on the
states and territories agreeing to match the Commonwealth’s contribution. At today’s COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness, all state and territory housing ministers confirmed their commitment to these vital homelessness services.

Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Mark Butler said the agreement ensures that services currently provided under the current National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness continue.

COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness
28 March 2013 meeting Communiqué

The COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness met on 28 March 2013, in Melbourne.

 National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a future long term National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) subject to individual jurisdictional approval. Ministers recognise the importance of putting in place appropriate transitional arrangements to afford time to finalise a longer term agreement which Ministers recognise as critical to tackling homelessness. The transitional arrangement will provide some certainty to individuals and their service providers. The transitional arrangements would see the Commonwealth, States and Territories contribute almost $320m to tackle homelessness in 2013-14. This includes a combined development fund of $76m that will provide new accommodation arrangements. Continue reading →

Proserpine tenant thanks TAAS service!

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Proserpine

from Wikipedia

Another reason why tenants need specialist services!

25 March 2013
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦
♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Road
♦♦♦♦♦ALE Q 4♦♦♦

Dear Sir/Madam,
                               RE: TAAS SERVICE PROSERPINE

We write in recognition of the awesome service that we received from Proserpine TAAS and particularly staff Rebecca and Julie during a tenancy matter which stretched on for approximately 7 months through the Proserpine Magistrates Court.

We found ourselves renting a house at ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦ale, with an  underground cellar which the owner neglected to mention floods with approximately 14000 litres of whenever it rains. By the time we realized what was going on the water had been sitting in the cellar for approx 5 weeks and as the house was completely made of wood the wood acted as a wick and the entire house soaked up this water and was damp and then moldy (sic). This mould then attacked our furniture and personal belongings leaving us with a loss of approximately $81,000 as assessed by our contents insurance provider. The house also had several roof leaks one which was particularly damaging as it leaked into the main bedroom wardrobe.

The owners were ordered to rectify the issues but failed to do so before we left.  After asking the magistrate to terminate the lease, we vacated the property on 30th December 2012, the owners immediately re-rented the property.

The courts awarded us a rent reduction for the duration of the tenancy, reimbursed us for costs eg. pumping the cellar and ensured that we received our bond back at the end of the tenancy, without court intervention none of this would have occurred.

TAAS staff supported us Continue reading →

Scotland & Qld: a potted history of centrailsed bond collection

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IScottish flagt’s only two years since bonds taken from tenants in Scotland have had to be deposited in a prescribed place.  Before that they were kept in the pocket (or bank accounts) of landlords and we’re guessing that at least some tenants had difficulties getting their bonds back at the end of their tenancy, no matter what condition they left the property in.  Here’s a link to information on the Scottish tenancy deposit scheme here.

We guess that’s what used to happen in Scotland because that’s what it was like in Queensland.  In 1986 the Tenants’ Union of Queensland was formed by a group of tenants and concerned organisations who were tired of bonds being unfairly withheld at the end of tenancies.  Then in 1988, under the Ahern National government, the original tenancy advice program was funded in response to housing issues arising from development around the World Expo 1988 site.

The Tenants’ Union and other tenant advocates pushed for centralised bond lodgement and were key to the formation of the Rental Bond Authority (RBA) in 1989.  The formation of the Authority was strenuously opposed by the real estate and property owner organisations. Continue reading →

JPs to hear QCAT matters, trial one step closer

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Judging upThe following is a press release from the State Attorney-General, Mr Jarrod Bleijie, from today, March 19.

Changes expand eligibility for JP QCAT trial

The Government’s JP QCAT trial is a step closer after the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Justices of the Peace) Amendment Bill 2013 was introduced in Parliament today.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said based on feedback received during consultation, the original criteria had been amended to make more JP’s eligible for the trial.

“The provision for legally qualified JP’s to have five years’ experience as a JP and three years’ post-admission experience has been removed,” Mr Bleijie said.

“This means any legally qualified JP can now enrol in the program, including those who applied originally but did not meet the criteria. Continue reading →

Gov’t moves on 3 strikes policy for social housing tenants

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Tenants'voiceThis article in last Friday’s Brisbane Times reported on a new ‘three strikes’ policy for social housing tenants.  Whilst there is limited detail about the policy at this stage, there are several concerns with this announcement.

Friday’s statement by Housing Minister Tim Mander follows on from previous Housing Minister, Dr Bruce Flegg, who announced the policy intent  at the opening of the National Housing Conference in Brisbane last November. We assume that Minister Mander’s policy will broadly follow the parameters set out in Dr Flegg’s speech. Here’s a quote from that speech:

“The overwhelming majority of public housing tenants do the right thing, however there is a minority whose anti-social behaviour can affect the lives of those around them,” Dr Flegg said.

“I am proposing to crack down on these unruly tenants by asking them to leave if they receive three strikes within 12 months for disruptive behaviour like noisy parties, vandalism or destroying property.

“If tenants have engaged in assault, acts of violence or drug manufacturing, the department would immediately initiate legal action to evict them.

Such statements might sound reasonable to many people and have populist appeal but, when looked at in depth, do they achieve the government’s desired outcome?

This article discusses the following questions: are there unintended consequences for vulnerable households, will these changes undermine due process in dealing with allegations of ‘unruly conduct’; does the government already have the power to do what these changes propose to do; and, is it fair to develop such a policy where there is no tenant advocate to engage with the government about the proposals. Continue reading →

Did you see our cinema ad?

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The following cinema advertisement was produced by Save Tenant Services last year, before the Commonwealth stepped in with emergency funding.  Some of our supporters will have seen it before but many will not.  We thought we’d replay it.  Remember,the emergency funding for the TUQ and 22 local tenant advice services runs out at the end of June.  If you have time, please help our campaign to secure on-going monies, here’s some suggestions how.