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A woman allegedly subletting her state house while living in another home she owned has agreed to give up the state house.
Housing Minister Chris Carter yesterday told Parliament Housing New Zealand investigated a case in Christchurch in which tenant Rana Martin was reported to have sublet her state house while she lived in a home she owned.
"The investigation is now concluded and the tenancy has ended," he said, without giving details of the situation.
Ms Martin had been living in a house she owned in Hillmorton, and at the same time was the tenant of a state house in central Christchurch.
Housing New Zealand (HNZ) Christchurch regional manager David Griffiths confirmed staff had met Ms Martin yesterday and she had agreed to vacate the state house in a few days.
Mr Griffiths told the Press Ms Martin had been paying market rates for the property.
There were no immediate costs to be recovered, but HNZ would re-assess the situation if costs arose.
HNZ became aware of Ms Martin's situation on October 3, and started an inquiry into whether the property was being sublet.
When contacted last night Ms Martin would not discuss the circumstances of her case.
"Today's not a good day to talk to me," Ms Martin told The Press. "You've just ruined my life."
National's housing spokesman Phil Heatley yesterday told Parliament subletting of state houses by tenants was rife.
Mr Heatley called on the Government to reveal the extent of what he believed was a serious problem.
Similar cases had surfaced in Auckland, he said.
"As National's housing spokesman I get more callers anonymously dobbing in state house subletting scams than with any other issue," he said.
Mr Carter said Mr Heatley confused boarders with sublet tenants, and if he had any real information he should pass it on to Housing New Zealand.
- NZPA
