A new investigation squad formed by the City of Sydney is targeting illegal and unsafe rental arrangements, which it says are exploiting young backpackers and international students.
Properties inspected by the unit have unveiled numerous cases of squalor and dereliction; tenants sleeping in laundries, bedrooms turned into makeshift bathrooms, a three bedroom house with 58 beds and one bedroom apartments with 10 people sleeping in them.
The City says there are sophisticated networks of providers that have become more organised in the past year, preventing council staff from gaining access to investigate suspect properties.
The new unit, called the Unauthorised Accommodation Investigation Team, was launched in March and since then has executed more than 20 search warrants at properties in the city, gathering witness statements and primary evidence.
Prior to the set-up of the group, the City had struggled to gather the required information to be granted a search warrant by a magistrate.
The City’s Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said many of properties in question have been illegally subdivided, and are unsafe and overcrowded.
“Some of the complaints we received were new territory for council staff because they involved organised syndicates operating illegal accommodation networks,” she said. “In the past, our staff who have attended inspections have been verbally threatened and abused.”
“Evidence we’ve recently collected suggests multiple offences are taking place, some of which are outside councils’ powers and responsibilities.
“This means a multi-agency approach is the best way to disrupt operations and deter new operators from entering this illegal market."
The unit will be headed by Roy Cottam, a former detective who worked with New Scotland Yard’s Specialist Operations Command and the NSW Police Integrity Commission.
(Supplied: City of Sydney)
He said the safety risks involved with illegal building works and overcrowding are significant.
”The issue of unauthorised accommodation use is complex and ranges from technical breaches, through to more high-risk fire safety and building-code violations where illegal building works have been undertaken to facilitate overcrowding,” he said.
“We will…focus our resources on those who take advantage of vulnerable people by setting up networks of unauthorised share accommodation for large-scale financial gain.
“We want to send out the strong message – we are coming after you.”
The issue of overcrowded housing and illegal subletting in Sydney was catapulted into the spotlight last year when an industrial property in Alexandria housing fifteen foreign nationals in caravans and a shipping container caught fire.
The tenants were paying $130 a week and sharing a single portaloo toilet, but the council received no complaints about the situation.
Secretary of the Backpacker Operators Association of New South Wales, Robert Henke, says the new taskforce is long overdue.
“What has really happened lately is that websites made it a lot easier advertise this type of accommodation,” he said.
“That's why we're seeing so much growth of it recently and that's why it's in the public eye at the moment – but it's been going on for many, many years.”
"We will…focus our resources on those who take advantage of vulnerable people by setting up networks of unauthorised share accommodation for large-scale financial gain."
Mr Henke wants to see changes to the state planning laws and easier pathways for Councils to prosecute and investigate circumstantial evidence of illegal housing.
“Actually advertising these properties should be enough to investigate.”
Clover Moore said the new specialised unit has the required investigative skills to respond to complaints about illegal housing arrangements that are not suited to council staff.
“The new team includes former police officers with skills in counter-terrorism and forensic evidence gathering who are dedicated to stopping this concerning issue. We are taking a multi-agency approach, cooperating with NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Fair Trading, the Australian Tax Office and other relevant agencies,” said Ms Moore.
Part of the City’s crackdown is an educational campaign advising students at universities and other tertiary institutions about safe rental choices.
Sydney says it is liaising with other local councils in the country experiencing similar issues.
“It's a global issue for the big cities in the world – for Melbourne, Sydney, Perth,” said Mr Cottam.
“It's an issue for a number of councils throughout Australia. Demand is high for short-term accommodation and many people want to spend as little as possible to get that accommodation.”
The City has not commented on any specific investigations as it says they are ongoing and could be subject to future court action.
Share
