Rent wrangle has young mum at end of tether

Shaye Barrett, a 25-year-old domestic purposes beneficiary, says she is at the end of her tether after being left $1040 out of pocket and landed with a year-long fixed-term tenancy on a house she is unable to move into because she cannot afford the agent's $300 letting fee.

"I'm getting fined for being poor," she said.

She has not spent a night in the property but the agent, Kennard Real Estate Ltd, has said it will keep $1040 advanced as bond by Work and Income, which Ms Barrett must repay the Government.

They will also continue to charge her weekly rent of $260 until an alternative tenant is found.

Read More - Opens in a new window