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Landlords who were landed with a nearly $7,000 penalty for throwing away a tenant’s possessions have had a change in luck.
The dispute happened in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick after the landlords evicted the tenant and gave him three days to access the home to remove his property.
Although former tenant Lee Young tried to get his belongings, a communication breakdown meant he had not been able to do so. After three weeks, the property manager arranged for the items to be disposed of.
Mr Young wanted to be compensated for his goods, while landlords Giovanni and Anna Masini claimed for unpaid rent, the cost of clearing out his goods and the cost of changing the locks.
The landlords were ordered to pay the former tenant nearly $7,000 after he lost a passport, magazine collection, a safe that contained a gold nugget, 15 pairs of Nike shoes and more.
However, under Victorian law, landlords are allowed to be compensated for any amount owed after they have disposed of goods left behind. The Masinis had their claim approved and received $4,400 from the Residential Tenancies Fund, Domain reported.
Additionally, the landlords were awarded more than $6,000 from Mr Young for rent, goods removal and locksmithing.
At the end of the ordeal, the landlords pocketed $3,866.50, and Mr Young took home $533.50.
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