Dodgy tenants out

Housing Minister Phil Heatley. Photo / Northern Advocate

An expert team of Housing NZ investigators spent the past 18 months tracking down fraudulent tenants, terminating 166 cases and saving $6.3 million.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley said better investigation of fraud had freed up much-needed state houses for families in desperate need on the waiting list.

The 166 tenancies terminated included those who failed to advise Housing NZ about income from employment, business interests, assets, or that they lived with a partner.

Mr Heatley said Housing NZ had increased its activities over the past two years as a response to high-demand for state housing.

He said more than 4000 people were on state house waiting lists.

- NZPA