Government committed to recovering rent arrears

The Government says it remains committed to recovering rent arrears and is actively implementing measures to recover what's owed and prevent further accrual.

The Government says it's important to provide context to the Principal Auditor's report, saying in some extreme cases, rental arrears have been accrued by some of the most vulnerable in our community, with the Government exercising leniency on humanitarian grounds.

It says a strategy is in place, which has been implemented over the last six months.

This includes the introduction of a requirement for rent to be up to date before you can renew your ID or request a home exchange.

It says further measures are planned, including the removal of sheds and parking spaces,; checks on business and fishing licences; and no non-emergency works to be carried out in their homes by the Housing Works Agency.

Minister for Housing, Pat Orfila, claims the vast majority of Government tenants pay their rents in full and on time.

According to the Principal Auditor's report, there were 2351 tenants in arrears on the 31st October 2024.

Gbc has put in questions to determine the total number of existing Government tenants.