Ilka and Elise
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘Disability tenants should not be financially abused and taken advantage of, they should not be charged higher costs than most other tenants.’
Elise and Ilka are sisters. Elise has Asperger’s syndrome and Ilka is autistic and has an intellectual disability.
After their mother died Ilka moved into a supported group home managed by a provider.
Elise told the Royal Commission she soon discovered ‘the standard disability tenancy agreements are financially abusive to those in group homes’.
Ilka is charged 15 per cent of her Disability Support Pension for the use of household assets. This includes whitegoods and some shared furniture. Each time the pension is adjusted in line with CPI the amount Ilka pays increases.
Elise calculates Ilka is paying $4,160 a year, ‘a significant amount for items that the tenant does not own’. She shares the home with four other tenants, so the provider receives $20,800 each year.
‘The group home that my sibling lives in certainly does not replace all of these household items on an annual basis. The home has been running for just over five years now, so the home operator has collected an estimate of $100,000 over this period.’
Elise wants to know where the money has been spent – the items would have been under warranty for the first couple of years and she has never seen items replaced.
‘I believe this is a form of financial discrimination and abuse.’
Elise has asked the provider to explain the charges and why a percentage of the pension is charged rather than a flat fee. She’s also calculated the provider now owns the items and has asked the amount to be reduced.
‘To date the organisation has refused and ignored such requests.’
The provider implied Ilka can accept the disability accommodation agreement or leave.
Elise complained to the NDIS but nothing has happened.
She is ‘sick with anger and frustration over the tenancy discrimination’ and is concerned Ilka won’t have adequate funds to cover her living costs long term.
‘Disability tenants should be given the same set rent and fee periods many others have the right to have.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.