Landlord dumps tenant’s goods on street after finding mess and vermin inside

A landlord seeking $23,000 in compensation from a Tarneit woman he claims left his property infested with cockroaches, has instead been ordered to pay the mother of six more than $8300.

A landlord has been fined after dumping a messy tenant’s possessions on the nature strip.

A landlord seeking $23,000 in compensation from a Tarneit woman he claims left his property infested with cockroaches, has instead been ordered to pay the mother of six more than $8300.

Bien Nguyen told VCAT he believed Sahra Mohamed had abandoned the property a month before her lease was up, after she failed to respond to his calls, text messages and letters.

He said no one was home when he visited the property, it had been left filthy, and photos provided to the tribunal by Mr Nguyen showed a cockroach-infested couch and fridge.

The tribunal heard Mr Nguyen then piled the furniture — including sofas, mattresses, a TV and whitegoods — up outside the property and would not allow Ms Mohamed to return.

WERRIBEE NAN JAILED AFTER BLOWING CASH ON POKIES

POINT COOK ROAD: WELCOME TO MELBOURNE’S WORST PEAK-HOUR COMMUTE

But Ms Mohamed told the tribunal she had been in the process of moving to her new rental property, and had intended to collect her remaining belongings and clean the house before the lease expired.

She told the tribunal she was owed compensation for the damaged items, as well as a refund for the rent and bond she had paid.

Ms Mohamed also sought compensation for the “significant stress and anxiety caused” to her and her six children.

Handing down his findings last month, VCAT Member Charles Powles said while it was “unfortunate and poor conduct by the tenant to have failed to respond to the texts sent and calls made (over a week) I do not accept that … is evidence that the tenant had abandoned the rented premises”.

Mr Powles ordered Mr Nguyen to pay Ms Mohamed $8304.

MORE LEADER NEWS

CAN FRANKSTAGRAM FIX ITS REP VIA SOCIAL MEDIA?

WRONG-WAY DONUT DRIVER COPS BAN