Waiouru houses inspected

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 439, 9 June 1992, Page 5

Waiouru houses inspected

BY

jan:

savell

Housing mspections are being carried out on all 600 houses in the Waiouru Military Camp. Waiouru Property Officer, Yvonne Smith, is accompanied by a team of three engineers specially requested from the Ready Reaction Force Engineer Squadron based in Linton. The mammoth task will take a month, with 33 houses seen each day. The team check for electrical safety and maintenance requirements. Data on the facilities of each property is collected and will be entered into a database system for the camp. "Other camps inspect annuallv but Waiouru has

missed out for some time. There haven't been any in the two years I've been in the property office," said Yvonne. She regrets the need to disturb the privacy of tenants but believes the results are well worth the inconvenience. "Urgent mainteriarice needs are actioned daily and we are compiling a list for routine maintenance." Yvonne has found tenants to be apprehensive about the visits and does her best to put them at ease. It is a chance for her to "put faces to voices." She particularly values the opportunity to make contact with the women who never go to the property office.

"It is the family at home with the problem while the husband is away. Wives shouldn't hesitate to ring. Just jump on the phone." "We want to hear as soon as you have a prob-

lem or accident. Most things are easier to fix straight away - especially stains on carpet or damage to wallpaper. We do not charge for "fair wear and tear" maintenance work."

Yvonne has been very pleased with the maintenance standard so far. Tenants can make her job easier by ensuring they are home at the correct time and having a list of jobs prepared for her.