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Possession of Pomare Properties granted to Housing New Zealand
30 July 2009
Housing New Zealand is pleased that the Tenancy Tribunal has today granted possession orders for three houses in Pomare, Lower Hutt.
Five households were issued with 90 Day Notices terminating their tenancies with Housing New Zealand in March this year. Two of five tenants left of their own accord prior to the notices expiring, while the other three appealed to the Tenancy Tribunal to have the orders over-turned.
"We encourage our tenants to be good neighbours and if they choose not to be, we will terminate tenancies. This decision confirms our right to terminate tenancies by way of 90 Day Notices," Housing New Zealand chief executive Lesley McTurk said.
"Where necessary, terminating tenancies is part of our approach to making communities safer and ensuring neighbours have peace and quiet enjoyment in their homes."
"State tenants, like any tenants, have an obligation to abide by the conditions of their tenancy agreement, and avoid disturbing the harmony of their neighbourhood. If they fail to do this, then they risk losing the opportunity of living in a state home."
All three households will be given time to leave the property and Housing New Zealand will enforce the possession order if necessary.
We remain willing to help the families find alternative accommodation. To date, they haven't taken up this offer.
It is possible that the tenants may seek to appeal the decision to the District Court and seek a stay on the enforcement of the possession order.
"We can now focus on making Pomare a better place to live for the 100 or so Housing New Zealand tenants who live there, through our community development programme," Dr McTurk added.
Media Contact: Michelle Williams, Senior Communications Advisor, 04 439 3787, 021 227 9645.
