A public housing home in West Busselton was left trashed after tenants vacated the property several weeks ago leaving the home in disarray.
An old mattress, doors, junk, and rubbish littered the property with items sprawled across the front lawn and backyard, including a destroyed bicycle which had been hung from a tree out the front of the home.
Neighbour Steve Sewell said it was unacceptable the tenants were allowed to live in the home in such an unkept state and it was frustrating the Department of Communities did not conduct more regular inspections.
“It is a typical case of the department not doing their job, it is the only house which has not been looked after in the whole street, as you can see,” he said.
Mr Sewell said several complaints had been made to the department against the tenants including the number of people who lived at the home.
“If they were having regular house inspections, which we pay for, it would not be the way it is today.”
In a letter, obtained by the Mail, from the Minister for Housing’s office about the property it stated that the department expected public housing tenants to maintain properties to a standard consistent with the community.
The letter, dated July 13, stated routine inspections were conducted at the property from 2016 to 2018 and the department found the property to be neat, tidy and undamaged with no cause for concern.
“The department does not consider that the property would require significant maintenance work that is beyond general wear and tear should it become vacant in the future,” the letter stated.
Department of Communities acting assistant director general regional and remove service delivery Brad Jolly said inspections for public housing were conducted annually or more frequently if a problem was identified.
“Where a tenant vacates a property, inspections are conducted shortly after and any cleaning and maintenance works will generally be completed within 28 days,” he said.
“The department does not condone tenants damaging properties. Where damage can be attributed to the actions of tenants, they are billed for repairs and carry that liability even after they vacate a property.”
Mr Jolly said terminating was a last resort and was decided by a Magistrate.
