A Queensland landlord says she is struggling to regain control of her property after an alleged unauthorised occupant moved in, reportedly receiving the keys from a former tenant in exchange for $3,000.
Zhairah Charles alleges the woman has been living at the property since October 7 — six days after the previous tenant was due to vacate.
Ms Charles said she has spent weeks trying to have the woman removed, but claims she has encountered limited assistance from authorities. She now fears for the property’s condition and security.
Ms Charles described the ordeal online, saying her property manager discovered the alleged occupant when he arrived to collect the keys.
‘Our property manager was supposed to get the keys on Wednesday the 7th, but found a crazy lady who had no authority to be there,’ she wrote on social media.
‘When we asked what happened, apparently [the previous tenant] gave her the keys in exchange for $3,000 in cash, with a handwritten receipt.’
According to Ms Charles, the woman claimed she had found the unit through Flatmates.com.au. However, Ms Charles said the website confirmed that no such listing could be located.
‘So essentially he committed fraud and illegal subletting, and now we have a trespasser,’ she said.
A photo shared online appears to show the apartment in disarray after a landlord’s nightmare unfolded when an unauthorised woman allegedly moved in without permission
Zhairah Charles says she has been trying to have the woman removed, but claims she has been frustrated by a lack of assistance from authorities
Ms Charles said she and her property manager first asked the woman to leave before contacting police the next day.
Police attended the property and, Ms Charles said, the woman agreed to leave on Saturday. The woman’s NDIS support worker reportedly said temporary accommodation had already been organised.
But the woman allegedly remained at the property. When the manager returned on Sunday, Ms Charles claims he found the home damaged and the occupant refusing to leave.
‘Come Saturday, no news. Police didn’t attend and she didn’t leave. On Sunday, our property manager came in and found that she’s trashed the place and refuses to leave,’ she said.
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The landlord said she had made repeated contact with police and filed four reports, but was allegedly told the dispute was a matter for the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
She further claims she was referred between agencies. The Residential Tenancies Authority allegedly told her action could only be taken against the former tenant, while QCAT could not advise on the woman’s status without her full name.
Ms Charles said the woman’s support worker also declined to provide the occupant’s full name or assist with the matter.
The dispute has since allegedly turned hostile. Ms Charles claims the woman sent her a message stating: ‘F*** you and your silly dumb police friends. I’m staying here forever!’
Ms Charles said she contacted police several times and filed four reports, but was repeatedly told the matter had to be dealt with by QCAT
She also alleged that the woman verbally abused her 80-year-old building manager.
‘I’m so tired of the authorities not helping. At this point, can I please ask if there is any advice or whether there are any lawyers who can help?’ Ms Charles said.
The landlord said she was worried the woman could hand the keys to other unauthorised occupants, leaving her property further damaged.
‘I am so scared for my property and that she will just keep passing the keys to more unauthorised guests,’ she said.
‘Our home looks nothing like how we left it, and I’m so concerned she’ll continue trashing it, inviting unwanted guests and passing the keys on to more unwanted people.’
According to the RTA, Queensland tenants generally need their landlord’s written permission to sublet a property.
Its online guidance also states that property owners can apply to QCAT for an urgent order to remove someone occupying their property without permission.
Our News Outlet has approached Queensland Police, the RTA and QCAT for comment.
