Illegal eviction

The Rooming House Outreach Program (RHOP) team received a call from Elizabeth, a resident the program had visited 6 months prior. Elizabeth was quite distressed. She had received a text from the rooming house proprietor advising her she must move out immediately. RHOP workers visited Elizabeth the next day, finding that the proprietor had disconnected the electricity in a attempt to get the residents to leave. RHOP promptly arranged for the Centre’s tenancy team to assist with a urgent application to VCAT, seeking to have the power restored.

RHOP reported this and other breaches to the regulators as well as contacting local housing organisations for support to residents.

RHOP returned to the premises a couple days later with health services to check on the residents, to find the power restored. We were concerned for Elizabeths’ safety after someone had entered the premises the previous night causing damage to the locks. Alternative accommodation was arranged and RHOP arranged for social work support to transport Elizabeth to her new premises. PCLC was also able to successfully settle a debt matter for Elizabeth.

The rooming house was in such a poor state it was demolished not long after the residents left