‘I’ve lived here 20 years’: disabled tenant caught in eviction struggle

WHEN the occupants of two Coffs Harbour unit blocks were given 30 days’ notice to vacate, most began the frantic search for new homes.

But for one long-term tenant, leaving is not only stressful, it may be impossible.

The woman, who asked not to be named, has lived in her ground-floor unit for 20 years.

She uses a wheelchair, relies on life support, and was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“This is my home,” she said. “My son was in 5th class when we moved here and now he’s a grown man.”

Over two decades, she has adapted the space for her needs, including paying $500 herself to install a special tap.

She is now competing against dozens of applicants at each inspection, searching for somewhere wheelchair accessible and affordable.

“The agents have told me about a couple of places but because of my disability none were suited.

“I can’t expect my son to carry me upstairs.

“The whole application process has been very stressful.

“I feel like I’m being treated a bit poorly.

“We were told that even if we moved before the 30 days were up, we’d still have to pay the rent up to that time.”

Her current rent is $290 a week, which is low by Coffs Harbour standards, but even if she could afford a higher amount,

accessible properties are rare and hard to secure at short notice.

She feels her son is deeply worried about where they will end up.

Emma McGuire, from the Mid Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (MCTAAS), said many tenants don’t realise that a termination notice does not automatically end their lease.

“No tenant who receives any type of termination notice is required to leave on the day set out in the notice,” Ms McGuire said.

She explained that if tenants do not leave voluntarily, only the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) can make an order to end a tenancy and require a property to be returned to the landlord.

“A termination notice is just the first step in the process.

“If the matter proceeds to the Tribunal, tenants are sometimes granted extra time – weeks or even months – depending on the circumstances.”

Ms McGuire said landlords are within their rights to sell, but she urged compassion in the face of Coffs Harbour’s 1.1 percent vacancy rate, and growing affordability pressures.

“Extra time can make the difference between a tenant moving into safe, suitable accommodation or having nowhere to go.”

MCTAAS, a free service funded by NSW Fair Trading, provides advice, advocacy and representation for tenants across the Mid North Coast.

Tenants who receive a termination notice can call (02) 6583 9866 or visit tenants.org.au.

By Leigh WATSON