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Tenant (Ataoletaeao Kelly Tigifagu) won more than $22,000 compensation. "It was not an understatement to say that people's lives were at risk due to living in these premises," a just-released Tenancy Tribunal decision found.
Tigifagu's 10-month-old daughter went to hospital … View moreTenant (Ataoletaeao Kelly Tigifagu) won more than $22,000 compensation. "It was not an understatement to say that people's lives were at risk due to living in these premises," a just-released Tenancy Tribunal decision found.
Tigifagu's 10-month-old daughter went to hospital with bronchiolitis during the tenancy, while her mother also suffered ill health, adjudicator Nicola Maplesden said.
As early as July 2016, a report by property managers Barfoot & Thompson stated the home "was not suitable to re-rent in future".
Yet owner Colleen Aberhart took years to complete any repairs. It meant rain dripped through one bedroom ceiling onto a bed where Tigifagu slept with her daughters - aged 6, 3, and 10 months - and damp and mould filled the room.
Another bedroom had window sills "rotted right through".
"This bedroom was not used by the tenants for over a year as rodents entered through the holes in the window-sills and it was cold and damp," Maplesden said.
"They had sealed the interior door with tape to try to prevent rodents from entering further into the house."
The rats chewed a hole into one of the bedroom walls and brought repeated flea infestations over the course of two years.
It appeared many of these problems could have been fixed earlier with cheap repair jobs.
At an earlier hearing in September this year, the adjudicator ordered owner Aberhart to undertake nine repair jobs on the rental.
Aberhart told the Tenancy Tribunal "she was unaware of how bad the condition of the house was".
She also denied Barfoot & Thompson reports in 2016 and 2017, stating she didn't want to do any repairs because she intended to demolish the house.
However, Maplesden disagreed, finding Aberhart did know repairs were needed but "intentionally breached" her obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act.
She ordered Tigifagu to receive $17,055 compensation for "failure to maintain", $3500 exemplary damages for "maintenance" and $2000 exemplary damage for the failure to install insulation by July 2019.
"Everyone living at the house has been bitten by fleas and bothered by mice, been cold and damp, been unable to shower in their own home, and been denied the dignity of living in a reasonably well-maintained home," Maplesden said.
Maplesden ordered Barfoot & Thompson to pay $2000 in exemplary damages.
The company ceased acting as property managers for Aberhart in July when she failed to install insulation by the Government deadline.
It also argued it did all it could to bring the rental's maintenance issues to Aberhart's attention.
But the adjudicator found the company kept acting as property manager even after writing in 2016 that the property shouldn't be re-rented in the future.
There was also no evidence it told Aberhart she risked breaking the law if she didn't fix the rental up, Maplesden said.
Barfoot & Thompson director Kiri Barfoot apologised to the Tigifagu family.
"We no longer represent this landlord, however we recognise we should have acted quicker." The Herald has sought comment from Aberhart.
Source: Ben Leahy from NZ Herald
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Held at Manukau City Baptist Church, 9 Lambie Drive
Hi neighbours, a male kitten has been rescued from a sticky situation.
The tiny pet managed to get himself stuck in a hole in a deck that is meant to hold an umbrella pole.
Firefighters used their skills to free the little guy without injury following a busy night due to Guy Fawkes.
Please put NFP… View moreHi neighbours, a male kitten has been rescued from a sticky situation.
The tiny pet managed to get himself stuck in a hole in a deck that is meant to hold an umbrella pole.
Firefighters used their skills to free the little guy without injury following a busy night due to Guy Fawkes.
Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used in print.
A male kitten has been rescued from an unusual predicament where he got stuck in a hole in a deck. …
More than 30 wine bottles not more than a few feet away from the bin
A man has been charged with manslaughter following an alleged assault in south Auckland. Siosaia J…
Do you have mould on your walls give us a call to get this removed for the health and safety or your family, get your free quote today!
A bid to give Auckland's Ōtuataua Stonefields the highest level of heritage recognition could expand…
Hi Neighbours,
Heritage New Zealand is considering proposals to upgrade the status of the stonefields from a Category 2 historic place to a Category 1 historic place.
While this would expand the borders of the current protected area to cover Ihumātao - it won't stop the current development … View moreHi Neighbours,
Heritage New Zealand is considering proposals to upgrade the status of the stonefields from a Category 2 historic place to a Category 1 historic place.
While this would expand the borders of the current protected area to cover Ihumātao - it won't stop the current development by Fletcher Buildings.
What do you think of the proposed change?
A visit to Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant, The Fat Duck near London was an outstanding culinary experience. Heston’s menu is inspired by his favourite childhood memories and he wants to arouse in us our own memories about a favourite summer holiday.
This is a fascinating experience filled … View moreA visit to Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant, The Fat Duck near London was an outstanding culinary experience. Heston’s menu is inspired by his favourite childhood memories and he wants to arouse in us our own memories about a favourite summer holiday.
This is a fascinating experience filled with spectacular dishes well-briefed "storyteller" and Heston's quirky humour.
Click on the link to read the full story..
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#hestonbluementhal #thefatduck #restaurant #gastronomy #michelin3stars #michelin #finedining #foodographynz
A woman who left her elderly aunt lying naked in her own waste has been sentenced to community deten…
Fireworks are a ton of fun but carry real risks that need to be taken seriously. If you plan on lighting some here's some tips to keep everyone in your community safe and happy.
❌ 1. Never light fireworks in dry or windy conditions.
🔥 2. Only use fireworks in wide open areas, away from … View moreFireworks are a ton of fun but carry real risks that need to be taken seriously. If you plan on lighting some here's some tips to keep everyone in your community safe and happy.
❌ 1. Never light fireworks in dry or windy conditions.
🔥 2. Only use fireworks in wide open areas, away from flammable items such as trees, grasses, gas tanks, and wood.
💦 3. Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby.
👧 4. Children should never light fireworks themselves and need to be supervised closely at all times.
🧰 5. Keep all unlit fireworks in a secure bag or container away from any source of fire until they are ready to be used.
📞 6. Be considerate and let neighbours know if you're planning to set off fireworks. Aim to finish at a reasonable time.
🐱 7. Keep pets comfortable and secure inside. The loud booms and flashing lights can easily scare them off.
🐮 8. Avoid lighting off fireworks around farm animals and be aware of any newborns or elderly neighbours who may also be affected. If possible, change locations to somewhere that minimises any disturbances.
🌿 9. Be a tidy Kiwi and let's work together to keep New Zealand beautiful! Clean up any any rubbish and leave your spot better than you found it.
It's a suburb serviced by the busiest court in the country, yet its residents don't have access to p…
We'll have frying pans, chopping boards, ice block makers, wine accessories, glassware, coffee makers, napkins and more. Up to 80% of the original price!
● Friday 15th November 2019, 8:30am - 5pm
● Saturday 16th November 2019, 9am - 3pm
Peter Gower NZ Ltd, 88G Harris Road, East … View moreWe'll have frying pans, chopping boards, ice block makers, wine accessories, glassware, coffee makers, napkins and more. Up to 80% of the original price!
● Friday 15th November 2019, 8:30am - 5pm
● Saturday 16th November 2019, 9am - 3pm
Peter Gower NZ Ltd, 88G Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland.
Cash and Eftpos only. Please bring your own bags.
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