Homeowners left with ‘tenants from hell’ who stopped paying rent but won’t leave
It’s better to have an empty house than a bad tenant - just ask Skye and Min.
When they offered spare bedrooms to tenants, they thought it would be a win-win - a bit of extra money to help them and cheap rent for Katrina and David.
When Skye and Min moved their young family from Vietnam to Australia, they wanted to ease the financial burden so rented out rooms. NIne
It’s turned out to be the worst decision they ever made, and it’s not over yet.
They’re living with tenants from hell who have stopped paying rent but refuse to leave.
They have been served an eviction order but are refusing to move, as the abusive outbursts escalate.
“I admit I had made a huge mistake,” Skye said.
“She approached me, hit me and choked my neck,” Min said.
When Skye and Min moved their young family from Vietnam to Australia, they wanted to ease the financial burden.
They rented out two rooms in their new home near Newcastle to another family.
Katrina Steadman, her partner David and their adult son have lived with the family for nearly two years. Nine
"We rented rooms for them but they live upstairs. So we rarely have interaction or communication with them,” Skye said.
Katrina Steadman, her partner David and their adult son have lived with the family for nearly two years.
But four months ago, when Skye and Min decided to buy their own home, Katrina begged to be allowed to move with them.
“When we decided to move into the new house, they said they have nowhere to go and they will respect the rules of the house,” Skye said.
So they all moved together, along with Skye’s mum and the couple’s three children, including toddler twins.
But now Skye says a dispute over a power bill has sent shockwaves through the home.
“Recently, they explode in, like, violent rage because of just the utility bill,” Skye said.
The family filmed an expletive-laden video during a recent outburst.
Friend Nicole Fairhall had come around to try to mediate the situation after Katrina was served an eviction notice.
“I was just met with absolute violence and frustration on their end,” Nicole said.
“The whole family is sleeping in Skye’s bedroom. The mum, the three kids, the husband and Skye, because they’re so scared in their own house.”
The abuse reached boiling point when Min was confronted by Katrina in the kitchen. Nine
The abuse reached boiling point when Min was confronted by Katrina in the kitchen.
Katrina allegedly grabbed Min by the neck.
Police were called and arrested Katrina.
She was charged with common assault and stalking and intimidation. She remains before the courts.
But she is still refusing to move out, or even come out of her room.
When asked by A Current Affair, she said the altercation happened after Min had “got rid” of her food.
There’s now a domestic violence order in place preventing Katrina from talking to or harassing Min.
“The way she slammed the door, the way she screamed and the way she, like, verbally threatened you, that makes you become terrified all the time,” Skye said.
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