A young Southland mother who moved to Christchurch for a better life says she and her six-year-old son face life on the streets after getting caught up in a rent wrangle.
Monday, May 31st 2004, 7:59AM
by The Landlord
Shaye Barrett, a 25-year-old domestic purposes beneficiary, says she is at the end of her tether after being left $1040 out of pocket and landed with a year-long fixed-term tenancy on a house she is unable to move into because she cannot afford the agent's $300 letting fee.
"I'm getting fined for being poor," she said.
She has not spent a night in the property but the agent, Kennard Real Estate Ltd, has said it will keep $1040 advanced as bond by Work and Income, which Ms Barrett must repay the Government.
They will also continue to charge her weekly rent of $260 until an alternative tenant is found.
