A Manor Lakes landlord has been ordered to pay compensation of more than $3500 to a former tenant, after months of failing to fix a mould-infested bedroom and bathroom.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal member Margaret Harvey ordered Carl Calabro to pay his former tenant a total of $3535.32, including $1270.32 for breaching his duty by failing to undertake urgent repairs at the rented premises.
Ms Harvey also ordered Mr Calabro to pay his former tenant $2205 for moving costs.
The tribunal heard that shortly after the tenant moved into the three-bedroom property in May 2016, she told the landlord’s agent about mould in the bathroom and adjoining bedroom.
In the following months, the tenant lodged several written requests asking for action to address the issue because the mould was affecting her health.
Ms Harvey said that after February 19 last year, the tenant could no longer sleep in her bedroom due to the mould, so she moved into another bedroom.
In April, Consumer Affairs inspected the premises and confirmed the presence of mould. Ms Harvey said that rather than fixing the problem, Mr Calabro ordered the tenant to vacate the house.
Ms Harvey said that Mr Calabro “…has behaved with blatant disregard for the tenant’s rights and his duty under the Residential Tenancies Act”.
