Monash Bulletin - 14 April 2007

Fines For Illegal Student House

The Dandenong Magistrates Court has accepted a guilty plea from the owner of a Clayton property which was used as shared accommodation for students without the appropriate Town Planning, Building and Health Approvals.

The court ruled that Thin-Sung See of Glenbrook Avenue, Clayton must pay fines and costs in excess of $12,000 as a result of Council's investigation into breaches of the Planning and Environment Act, the Health Act and the Building Act.

The charges followed an earlier application for an enforcement order that was subsequently issued by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for the same property.

Monash Mayor, Tom Morrissey said this was the second case in four months where Council had taken action against owners of substandard student accommodation and had achieved a successful prosecution.

"We will not allow people's lives to be put at risk," he said. "There are over 16,000 tertiary students attending schools in the City of Monash and over 11,000 rented dwellings. It is of great concern that some student accommodations are found to be in conditions that are substandard and potential death traps.

" Council is committed to taking action against other operators of so-called 'student accommodations' that do not comply with the relevant acts or regulations, and will continue its investigations into similar properties."

Page top

Published: 13 April 2007

[ Up: Monash Bulletin - 14 April 2007  |   Forward: Monash Heading For Top Of Recycling Charts ]