Teachers' rents appealed

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 267, 13 December 1988, Page 2

Teachers' rents appealed

Appeals against rent increases for Ruapehu College teachers John McCartney and Chris Dunn were heard by the Tenancy Tribunal ion Wanganui last week. Mr McCartney was appealing the increase in his rent f r o m $26.38 to more than $80 on the grounds that the low rent was a major factor in his accepting the job i n Ohakune. He also said the house was not in good order. He complained of damps rooms, faulty fire fittings allowing soot into the house, rotten window frames and a nailed shut window. He said the house had no carpet or drapes. He asked that his rent be maintained at the present level until his tenancy ended. Mr McCartney told the tribunal he had so far been unsuccessful in finding out who his landlord was and that

there had been no response to his request to see and sign a tenancy agreement. He said the Wanganui Education Board took the rent but denied being the landlord. Mr Northmore said the secondary school board, who is Mr McCartney's employer should deal with him. Mr Dunn also told the tribunal he had accepted his job understanding his rent was unlikely to rise t o more than $35. He said service tenancies in Ohakune were and average of $37.08 and that the majority o f tenants paid service rentals. He also told the tribunal that Ohakune rents were seasonal and ranged from zero in summer to $100 in winter. He said an average rent would vary greatly between summer and winter. Further steps Other w a y s

Waimarino teachers are opposing their rent increases include writing to ministers, to the ombudsman, taking the matter to the labour relations court, asking for a commission of enquiry into the effects of the rent increases on rural schools, and working to gain community support for their cause.