Tenants have had their swipe cards (i.e. their house keys) cancelled over matters as trivial as lending the card to a guest so they can go out and buy a carton of milk. In order to regain access to the building, tenants have had to pay a swipe card ‘reactivation fee’ of $150. Some tenants have been locked out for several days and others have had to pay accumulated penalties in the thousands of dollars just to get back into their homes.
Regis Towers has publicly defended the practice, saying it is necessary to combat “illegal activity” and overcrowding in the building however the tenants RLC has spoken to regarding this matter are not criminals, nor are they living in overcrowded apartments. This issue is affecting people (including young couples and families) who lawfully rent their units.
There are strong penalties in New South Wales for landlords who unlawfully lock out tenants. In these situations, tenants are able to seek quick and effective redress in the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Unfortunately, legal remedies have proved to be less immediately accessible when the owners corporation and building managers are responsible for locking tenants out. Many Regis Towers tenants who have spoken to RLC have opted to pay the fee rather than try to pursue complex and lengthy legal remedies.
With the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 currently under review, RLC believes it is time for a provision that prohibits and penalises unreasonable interference by owners corporations and building managers with residents’ ability to access their homes.
Read RLC's Media Release
25 January 2014 Regis Towers' tough security regime leaves tenants locked out, The Sydney Morning Herald
21 January 2014 Tenants slugged $150 to access their homes, The Daily Telegraph
