An Auckland landlord that failed to tell tenants that a murder had occurred in the house they were renting has had to cough up $418.
David and Carol Prescott were entitled to break their fixed-term tenancy at the Glenfield property, the Tenancy Tribunal has found, after the landlord, Four Squared Limited, did not disclose "material and significant conditions" concerning the property.
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The tribunal found the landlord failed to disclose to the property manager and tenants that a "violent homicide" and arson occurred at the property in 2010.
Stuff reports that it's the house where Steven Ellis raped and murdered 43-year-old Jacqueline Blackbourn, who died on June 26, 2010.
Ellis was sentenced to life in prison in 2011. The Auckland High Court heard at the time that he took a knife from his kitchen drawer, drove to the house - which was Blackbourn's, where he grabbed her by the throat and raped her on her bed before stabbing her twice.
The tribunal decision says the house was renovated after the incident, but not fully rebuilt.
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"This is not sufficient to dispel the tenants' concern about the incident and clout over the property."
According to the decision, Four Squared Limited was ordered to pay the tenants $418, and refund their bond.
Newshub.
