“Tenants from hell” take advantage of Tribunal delays

By Andrea Milner
Landlord Ron Goodwin explains, “In my experience since this Porirua system was set up, the gangs know their stooge tenants are good for at least six to 10 weeks rent-free while they have a ball at the landlord’s expense. They know their stooge tenants can drag out the ridiculous mediation process while the landlord is unable to do anything”.

Department of Building and Housing client services manager Jeff Montgomery says that 60% of all Tenancy Tribunal applications are resolved at mediation.

“In 80% of cases, mediation is held within 10 working days or less of an application being received. Of the 40% that are not resolved in mediation, more than half have a hearing within 20 working days of an application being received,” says Montgomery.

What typically happens, says Goodwin, is that “a sweet wee solo mum on the DPB applies to rent your house. A few days after she moves in, the boyfriend moves in too. All is well for several weeks as far as rent payments go, then the parties start. Next other people start living in the house, and the neighbours start complaining; not only about the parties, but also about all the cars coming and going day and night because they are retailing drugs. Soon after that, the rent stops, the landlord and neighbours are treated with contempt, and the long road through the new Porirua system gets underway, while the landlord suffers financial losses waiting for the Tribunal hearing and eviction”.