In just over a year, 166 state house tenants have been evicted for lying about their financial positions.Some of the tales spun to Housing New Zealand included hiding income from jobs, assets or businesses or having secret partners who contributed financi
In just over a year, 166 state house tenants have been evicted for lying about their financial positions.
Some of the tales spun to Housing New Zealand included hiding income from jobs, assets or businesses or having secret partners who contributed financially.
More than 130 of the 166 cases had gone to court which housing minister Phil Heatley put down to better investigations.
One man had used a state house simply as storage for business goods while living elsewhere under a fake name.
An Auckland woman owned a limousine company with a fleet of twelve vehicles but lied about it to Housing New Zealand while renting out two houses she owned. She was fined $63,319.
Another Auckland man secretly ran a mechanics while owning a trio of houses in the name of one of his businesses that earned him a tidy rental income.
“The overwhelming majority of Housing New Zealand tenants appreciate their home and abide by the rules. However, there are a small minority committed to accessing homes and subsidies they do not need,” Housing minister Phil Heatley said.
“It is just not fair that we have families in need waiting for state housing assistance, while others, who have the benefit of a state home are flagrantly operating outside the rules.”
