House of horror: Karama homeowner tells all in northern suburb nightmare

A single Darwin mum is desperate for government intervention as a neighbourhood home overwhelmed by rubbish makes her life a living hell. See the photos here.

Human faeces dumped into a Karama local’s yard and her pet chooks eaten alive by cats - these are among a string of horrific allegations made by a single mother who lives next door to house surrounded by junk.

The woman has revealed the disgusting conditions of her neighbour’s property in a plea for help, with repeated calls to the NT government reportedly going unanswered for almost two months.

The Karama homeowner, who the NT News has chosen not to name, says the neighbours are becoming “impossible to tolerate”.

“This problem is causing me undue stress on a daily basis,” she said.

Rubbish piled up in a Karama backyard is reported to be full of vermin, a neighbour says. Picture: Supplied

“I own my home (in) Karama and have lived here for 20 years.

“Previous public housing tenants have never been a problem (but the) current tenants have been nothing but problems.

“They throw rubbish into my yard on a daily basis (which) consists of kids toys, used condoms, used rubber gloves covered in faeces, used dildos covered in faeces, tubes of KY jelly and most recently (a) bucket of shit.

“They have decomposing rubbish draped over the front fence to try and hide their filth … (and) there is a heap of rubbish piled up against the front fence that recently caught fire, putting my home at risk.

“There is a pile of decomposing rubbish in the backyard 1.5m high and 3m wide, full of rats.”

The Karama resident says her neighbours’ rubbish pile has caught on fire before. Picture: Supplied

Unrestrained feral animals also roam free around the property, the homeowner alleges, which her own pet chickens have fallen victim to.

“They have cats not contained in the house (which) ate the breast out of two of my pet chooks while they were still alive,” she said.

“They have a female dog that has (had) at least six puppies twice a year for (the) past two and a half years. That’s 30 unwanted puppies.

“The puppies dig their way out under the fence and play on the road causing traffic hazards.”

The neighbour said she has had to put up with sounds of “constant banging and smashing” from inside the house, as well as people coming and going at all hours.

“I have worked my whole life as a single mother to pay off my home,” she said.

“Now in retirement, I am confronted with this filth in a so-called civilised society.

“I have paid taxes all my life and continue to pay rates.

“I do not deserve to have to put up with this filth.”

The resident said she made at least a dozen calls and emails to the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities, as well as several ministers.

A neighbour says rats inhabit a group of dead cars in the Karama yard. Picture: Supplied

The NT News has seen correspondence sent from the neighbour to Member for Karama Minister Ngaree Ah Kit, Minister Selena Uibo and Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

“The Territory government recognises the systemic issues in our public housing system, that’s why we are reforming the public housing system,” a spokeswoman for Ms Fyles said.

“In April the NT government launched the Community Housing Growth strategy which comes with an initial investment of $22.3 million to fund initiatives, investments and works.

“(This includes) redevelopment opportunities and managing the construction of additional social and affordable housing homes across the Territory.”

The Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities was also contacted for comment about the property.

“TFHC does not disclose the details of individual families,” a spokesman said.

“TFHC (also) conducts regular inspections of public housing properties.

“When a tenant does not pass an inspection they are given time to fix the issues before a follow-up compliance check is done.

“During this time, TFHC works with the tenant to ensure they have the support they need to make their property compliant.”

Kids toys are among the trash strewn around the Karama property. Picture: Supplied

The spokesman said if a tenant failed to do this, they may be evicted from the property.

“If the tenant fails to make the property compliant they can be referred to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a decision on their tenancy, this may include eviction,” the spokesman said.

“Each tenant has a responsibility to ensure they meet their rental obligations which include maintaining their property to an acceptable standard, paying their rent on time and not engaging in anti-social behaviour.

“If someone sees criminal behaviour they should contact the police.”

Minister Ah Kit did not answer specific questions about the house, but said she would continue to take action on issues raised with her.

“I work to connect vulnerable people to appropriate services and support those who are being unfairly impacted by others,” Minister Ah Kit said.

“I also work closely with stakeholders to promote their important work in my community.

“I encourage people to raise issues with me and I’m responsive to their concerns.”

A spokeswoman for Minister Uibo said the allegations were operational matters for the department to answer to.

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