LONG TERM TENANTS SEEKS NHC’s ASSURANCE ON HOME PURCHASE AMID EVICTION OVER UNPAID ARREARS
BY SHARON AGAVI
THE current eviction of Henau Drive Flats at 5mile has raised concerns and dissatisfaction over National Housing Commission’s swift decision to evict the tenants due to unpaid arrears amounting to K780,000, some of which have accumulated over several years.
This newsroom talked with one of the tenants, Tania Asahi, 35, from Goroka, EHP who expresses dissatisfaction and concerns regarding NHC’s swift decision to do evictions and is seeking the NHC’s consideration in allowing long-term tenants like herself to purchase the home or land at a fair price after renovations.
She confirmed her own arrears amount to K50,000 and believes other tenants face similar situations. Currently, the tenants pay K500 in rent each month.
On one occasion, she invested her own money to renovate the property and approached NHC to discuss the possibility of applying her renovation costs towards her rent. However, she was informed that the arrears needed to be paid in cash.
Married with three children, Tania has lived in the rental property since she was three months old, following her family’s relocation from Popondetta. She was given the house after her father passed on and her mother left her job.
Tania confirmed NHC has issued eviction orders in February and August of this year, but many tenants believed no action would be taken.
Another tenant, Jerry Joseph, also shared Tania’s concerns, stating the NHC indicated that payment of arrears is necessary before renovations on the buildings can occur. If the arrears remain unpaid, there is a possibility of eviction.
Meanwhile, NHC Managing Director Abel Tol when addressing the tenants recently, expressed concern over persistent non-payment, and saying he will no longer tolerate non-compliance.
He warned tenants that failure to pay up arrears, evicting them is the last option as several notices have been issued to tenants to clear their arrears.
Tol described the outstanding rent as a major financial drain on the state-owned housing agency.
