that many of these people may be homeless or at risk of homelessness and may be forced into insecure housing such as rooming houses and other arrangements. 10. MCAT letters do not inform tenants of where they can seek advice. VLA is concerned that MCAT letters do not encourage or advise tenants to seek independent legal advice. The letters also do not advise tenants that they have a right to dispute the claim at VCAT if they do not agree with it. All future letters issued by the Director of Housing to their tenants in relation to compensation claims should include a detailed statement of options that are available to a tenant to dispute the claim, and referrals to legal service providers. 11. Further information relevant to the Ombudsman’s investigation VLA notes the powers under the to compel DHHS and others Ombudsman Act 1973 Ombudsman’s to provide evidence and compile statistical data for the Ombudsman about the MCAT practice. In our view the following information would be relevant to this investigation: DHHS tenancies which ended by termination or transfer over the last 10 years: How many resulted in MCATs being issued by DHHS to tenants? How many MCAT invoices were reduced by the Department before applying to VCAT? How many MCATs resulted in payment plans not incorporated into VCAT orders? How many applications were made to VCAT in relation to MCAT debts? How many of those resulted in compensation being awarded? What is the average amount of compensation claimed? How many hearings were attended by tenants the first time the matter was listed? What is the average amount of compensation awarded where tenants attended their VCAT hearing? What is the average amount of compensation awarded where tenants did not attend? How many of those tenants were contacted by the Department prior to issuing the MCAT letter? How many of those tenants were contacted prior to the Department applying to VCAT? How many reviews have been sought by tenants of VCAT orders in relation to MCAT proceedings? How many reviews were granted by the VCAT? What was the reduction in the amount ordered by VCAT at the review hearing? How many tenants are currently on payment plans in relation to MCAT debts or VCAT orders in relation to MCAT compensation claims? Of these tenants what proportion are in receipt of Centrelink benefits? How much revenue has the Department received from repayment plans associated with MCAT debts and VCAT compensation orders? What is the arrangement with debt collection agencies in relation to collection of these debts –
that many of these people may be homeless or at risk of homelessness and may be forced into insecure housing such as rooming houses and other arrangements. 10. MCAT letters do not inform tenants of where they can seek advice. VLA is concerned that MCAT letters do not encourage or advise tenants to seek independent legal advice. The letters also do not advise tenants that they have a right to dispute the claim at VCAT if they do not agree with it. All future letters issued by the Director of Housing to their tenants in relation to compensation claims should include a detailed statement of options that are available to a tenant to dispute the claim, and referrals to legal service providers. 11. Further information relevant to the Ombudsman’s investigation VLA notes the Ombudsman’s powers under the Ombudsman Act 1973 to compel DHHS and others to provide evidence and compile statistical data for the Ombudsman about the MCAT practice. In our view the following information would be relevant to this investigation: DHHS tenancies which ended by termination or transfer over the last 10 years: How many resulted in MCATs being issued by DHHS to tenants? How many MCAT invoices were reduced by the Department before applying to VCAT? How many MCATs resulted in payment plans not incorporated into VCAT orders? How many applications were made to VCAT in relation to MCAT debts? How many of those resulted in compensation being awarded? What is the average amount of compensation claimed? How many hearings were attended by tenants the first time the matter was listed? What is the average amount of compensation awarded where tenants attended their VCAT hearing? What is the average amount of compensation awarded where tenants did not attend? How many of those tenants were contacted by the Department prior to issuing the MCAT letter? How many of those tenants were contacted prior to the Department applying to VCAT? How many reviews have been sought by tenants of VCAT orders in relation to MCAT proceedings? How many reviews were granted by the VCAT? What was the reduction in the amount ordered by VCAT at the review hearing? How many tenants are currently on payment plans in relation to MCAT debts or VCAT orders in relation to MCAT compensation claims? Of these tenants what proportion are in receipt of Centrelink benefits? How much revenue has the Department received from repayment plans associated with MCAT debts and VCAT compensation orders? What is the arrangement with debt collection agencies in relation to collection of these debts –
vla-submission-to-victorian-ombudsman-investigation-into-office-housing-management-maintenance-debts.docx