HNZ sees red at pink floors

AN Auckland Housing New Zealand tenant who removed all the carpet of her home to paint the wooden floors pink has been ordered by the Tenancy Tribunal to pay more than $5000 in rent arrears and damages.

Rosana Farani moved into the Mt Roskill home in May 2014 and left the house in October last year.

As well as painting the floors pink during her 41⁄2 year stay, Farani also painted the front porch bright pink and damaged the walls.

Before she moved in, Housing New Zealand had laid down new carpet in the lounge, hallway and one of the two bedrooms.

The second bedroom had an old but clean carpet.

After Farani left the tenancy the landlord discovered the walls had been damaged beyond wear and tear.

There were five holes in the walls of the hallway and in one of the bedrooms.

Farani owed Housing New Zealand $5259 in total including $3293 in rent arrears, $921 for removing the carpet in the house and painting the floorboards pink and $600 for removal of the rubbish she left behind.

Farani did not appear for the tribunal hearing.

The Residential Tenancies Act requires the tenant to leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return all keys and security devices, and leave all chattels provided for their benefit.