Meet the Sydney pensioner accused of being a slum landlord for ripping of her tenants.
In a bizarre legislation loop hole, this tenant is now faced with paying thousands of dollars in council rates because his landlord refuses to pay up.
But how does she get away with it?
Here's what Cambelltown Council had to say:
Since the property in question transferred to its current ownership in 2008, Campbelltown City Council has not received payment for rates instalments. After one year of default, Council made a number of attempts to contact the owner as part of normal rate recovery procedures.
Legal proceedings were commenced in 2009, however, were later withdrawn due to Council being unable to locate the current owner/s of the property. Ongoing efforts to locate the owner/s were unsuccessful.
As permitted under the provisions of Section 569 of the Local Government Act, in 2011 Council initiated proceedings against the tenant in an effort to recover the unpaid rates on the property.
A pre-trial review was adjourned at the commencement of proceedings, in response to the tenant indicating that he was planning to purchase the property. The purchase did not proceed, and the subsequent hearing saw the Registrar find in favour of Campbelltown City Council.
There is currently more than four years in rates instalments outstanding in relation to the property. The tenant has vacated the premises and Council will take no further action.
