Maitland police are investigating the sickening and senseless destruction of a Housing NSW property in Maitland that has been so badly damaged it remains uninhabitable.
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The Mercury understands the house was home to a family of six who trashed the property beyond recognition. They left the damage bill for the state to pick up and a shocking
malicious damage case for police to investigate.
Maitland councillor Henry Meskauskas has calling for the property to be cordoned off with a security fence for safety reasons. He also wants the government to demolish what remains of the three-bedroom home, which he believes would cost about $300,000 to replace.
Cr Meskauskas believed the family who occupied the home had a track record of trashing Housing NSW homes and were rehomed to the Maitland area from another Hunter location.
“They have four children aged between 14 and eight,” Cr Meskauskas said. “I believe the parents have left town and the children behind, and the appropriate government departments have been notified,” he said.
“Here is a case where we have thousands of families on NSW Housing waiting lists who would give anything to have a home like this and other people who just don’t appreciate what has been done for them,” Cr Meskauskas said.
He said walls in the house had been smashed along with windows, bathroom fittings and doors. He said the kitchen has been pulled apart.
Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said police were aware of the situation and were carrying out extra patrols in the area.
“I followed this up yesterday [Wednesday] and the police are very aware of the situation,” she said.
“I understand the concern of residents and I encourage anyone in the Maitland area who has concerns about safety in their neighbourhood to contact the police.”
Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector John Zdrilic said a police youth liaison officer had been working closely with some public housing residents in the Maitland area.
“We are aware of the situation which is subject to a police investigation just like any other crime,” Inspector Zdrilic said.
“This is quite a bad, malicious damage case.
“This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and we aim to identify those responsible and prosecute those who are responsible,” he said.
Contractors board up house
Family and Community Services is aware of the issues at the Maitland address and has sent in contractors to board up and secure the property.
A spokesperson for the department said that as this issue was subject to ongoing investigations, FACS was yet to inspect the home to assess the damage and arrange for necessary work or other action to be undertaken.
FACS tenants have the same conditions in their leases as most private-sector tenants.
Public housing is a privilege, not a right and where a tenant causes deliberate and severe damage to a FACS property, FACS will apply to end the tenancy in the same way as a private landlord, the spokesperson said.
Where appropriate, FACS will take legal action, including the process for evictions administered by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and referral to police for possible criminal legal action.
If a tenant is concerned about a neighbour’s disruptive behaviour, they should lodge a complaint with FACS, which will investigate the complaint.
FACS encourages tenants to report antisocial and criminal behaviour in their area to local police.