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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-26 Daily Xml
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HOUSING SA, DISRUPTIVE TENANTS

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. Can the minister update the house on how the government is strengthening its focus on managing disruptive tenants in Housing SA houses?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:52): I would like to thank the member for this important question. In my view, and in the view of this government, every South Australian has the right to the quiet enjoyment of their home, free of excess noise, disruption or inappropriate behaviour.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: We cannot help with partners! Therefore, as a landlord responsible for managing more than 40,000 properties, Housing SA has an important role to play in managing disputes between neighbours which involve our tenants. Housing SA receives complaints each year relating to disruptive behaviour but I wish to stress that the overall majority of Housing SA tenants do the right thing and are good neighbours. All complaints are investigated to ensure they can be substantiated and are not vexatious. The Disruptive Management Team handles about 180 to 200 cases of severe or repeated disruption each year.

Those households who are not willing or are unable to modify their disruptive behaviour after referral to the DMT are generally referred to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for eviction proceedings to commence. Tenants whose behaviour undermines the wellbeing of others can be taken directly to the RTT without the need for additional warnings. Earlier today, I announced a revised policy aimed at resolving these types of complaints quickly and more effectively.

The new policy will improve Housing SA's response times to these types of issues and, importantly, ensure the rights of tenants are upheld to provide reasonable peace, comfort and privacy in their own homes. Under this new policy, each metropolitan Housing SA office will have a dedicated specialist staff member responsible for dealing directly with complainants about disruptive tenants.

These staff will be a single point of contact in managing these issues, ensuring that there is consistency in the response and that these matters are handled appropriately and with sensitivity. Moreover, this holistic approach will give tenants and their neighbours the opportunity, information, advice and support they need to resolve these issues in a no-nonsense and prompt manner.

In addition to the specialist staff, Housing SA is increasing its responsiveness to disruptive tenant complaints by responding to all complaints within 48 hours. We are introducing an online complaint form to make reporting a complaint easier. I would also just like to say, if a matter is serious, obviously you call the police: you do not wait for a Housing SA officer to turn up, but if it is an issue of nuisance, we will respond within 48 hours. We are delivering other education programs to reinforce what is good behaviour in terms of neighbours. We are also reviewing information-sharing protocols with partner agencies such as Families SA, SA Health and SA Police.

I wish to stress that this policy is not about applying a heavy hand across Housing SA tenants: it is about being compassionate yet very clear and firm and upholding everybody's rights in their home. Members with constituents who have concerns about disruptive tenants and want to know more can visit www.sa.gov.au/housingsacustomer and click on the link to the disruptive tenant policy or telephone 131 299 or inquire in person at a Housing SA office. We will also be sending out this information to all electorate offices and a contact point.

The SPEAKER: Before the next question is asked, that was one of the most important answers I have heard in a question time in recent months. I found it hard to hear the minister because of the incessant talking in class of the Minister for Education, and I warn her for the first time. Is there a supplementary?

Mr GARDNER: Yes, supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta.

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