Government reaffirms commitment to recovering rent arrears as GSD brands response 'beggars belief'

The news follows GBC's reporting on the Principal Auditor's findings that Government tenants owed £4.8 million as of March last year. 

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

Meanwhile, the GSD has said the Government's response on this matter beggars belief. 

Number Six 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.

For its part, the Opposition accuses Number Six of embarking on a vicious and unjustified personal campaign against the Principal Auditor, saying that the former auditor has an exemplary record of long-standing public service.

The GSD says the Government then selectively and inaccurately refers to sections of the report it considers complimentary. 

The Shadow Minister for Housing Damon Bossino highlights the Housing Minister's statement that the Government has been very successful in preventing further arrears from accruing. However, he says the Principal auditor's report actually shows a rise in the level of house rent arrears with any perceived decrease due to write offs.